Metropolitan describes anything related to a large city and its surrounding areas. A metropolitan area includes the city itself along with the suburbs and towns closely connected to it. The New York metropolitan area, for instance, stretches across parts of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, encompassing millions of people who live and work in communities tied together by highways, trains, and shared resources.

When something is described as metropolitan, it often suggests the energy, diversity, and complexity of big-city life. A metropolitan newspaper serves readers throughout a major city and its suburbs. Metropolitan police patrol an entire urban region, covering multiple communities across a large geographic area.

You might hear someone describe themselves as having metropolitan tastes, meaning they appreciate the variety of culture, food, and experiences that big cities offer. Museums, concerts, diverse restaurants, and countless opportunities exist in metropolitan areas in ways they often don't in smaller towns. Metropolitan life means being part of a vast, interconnected community where millions of people live, work, and create together.