city on a hill

A form of city upon a hill — A morally exemplary settlement, destined by God for greater things. Most often used to refer to the United States, or more specifically the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

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Meanings

noun
  1. alternativeAlternative form of city upon a hill.
Cite this entry
APA

city on a hill. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/city%20on%20a%20hill

MLA

“city on a hill.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/city%20on%20a%20hill. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “city on a hill,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/city%20on%20a%20hill.

Source: city on a hill on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.