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Definition of megalopolis

megalopolis

/ˌmɛɡ.əˈlɑː.pəl.ɪs/
meg · a · lop · o · lis
Plural:megalopolises
•
Adjective:megalopolitan
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megalopolis Lexical Profile

megalopolis Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A very large, heavily populated urban complex or region consisting of several adjacent metropolitan areas that have grown together.

Example

"The continuous urban corridor stretching from Boston to Washington, D.C. is a classic example of a modern megalopolis."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for megalopolis
Antonyms
View all antonyms for megalopolis

Word Nuance & Usage

While 'metropolis' refers to a single major city and its suburbs, 'megalopolis' specifically denotes a sprawling chain of multiple adjacent metropolitan areas that have merged into a continuous urban region.

• Rhymes for megalopolis

• Nearby Words

megalodon
megalomania
megalomaniac
megalopolis
megamall
megamerger
megamouth shark

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Ancient Greek 'megalopolis' (literally 'great city'), originally the name of an ancient city in Arcadia founded in 371 BC, formed from 'megas' (great) and 'polis' (city). French geographer Jean Gottmann popularized the modern urban-planning sense in 1961 to describe the urbanized northeastern seaboard of the United States.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Megalopolis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/megalopolis
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