Legal Definitions - metropolitan

The term "metropolitan" can be used as both an adjective and a noun, with distinct meanings depending on the context.

Metropolitan (adjective)

As an adjective, "metropolitan" describes something that relates to, is characteristic of, or is located in a large, important city or its surrounding urban area. It often implies a scale or scope that encompasses not just the core city but also its suburbs and interconnected regions.

• Example 1: Urban Planning

  A regional planning commission might develop a metropolitan park system, designing interconnected green spaces and recreational facilities that serve residents across the central city and several adjacent suburban towns.

  Explanation: This illustrates "metropolitan" by showing how the park system's scope extends beyond just the city limits to encompass the broader urbanized region, reflecting the scale associated with a major city and its surroundings.

• Example 2: Public Services

  Many large cities operate a metropolitan transit authority, which manages bus lines, subway systems, and commuter rail services that connect the downtown core with outlying residential areas and neighboring communities.

  Explanation: Here, "metropolitan" signifies that the transit authority's services cover the entire urban agglomeration, not just the central municipality, demonstrating its broad reach typical of a major urban center.

• Example 3: Cultural Trends

  A sociologist might study the unique challenges faced by young professionals adapting to the fast-paced metropolitan lifestyle, characterized by long commutes, diverse cultural opportunities, and high living costs.

  Explanation: In this context, "metropolitan" describes a lifestyle and set of characteristics commonly found in large, bustling cities, highlighting the term's use to define attributes typical of such an environment.

Metropolitan (noun)

In the specific context of ecclesiastical (church) law, a metropolitan is a high-ranking bishop, typically an archbishop, who holds authority over an ecclesiastical province. This province is a larger administrative region within a church, comprising several individual dioceses (areas overseen by other bishops).

• Example 1: Church Governance

  When a new bishop is consecrated for a diocese within a particular church province, the ceremony is often presided over by the metropolitan of that province, who also provides spiritual guidance and administrative oversight to the new bishop.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates the metropolitan's role as the senior spiritual and administrative leader within a defined church province, overseeing the bishops of the constituent dioceses.

• Example 2: Historical Church Councils

  Historically, significant theological disputes or disciplinary matters affecting multiple dioceses within a region would often be resolved at a provincial council convened and led by the local metropolitan.

  Explanation: This illustrates the metropolitan's historical authority and leadership in gathering and guiding the bishops under their jurisdiction to address important church issues, acting as the head of the province.