open city: Meaning and Definition of

o'pen cit'y

Pronunciation: [key]
  1. a city that, during a war, is offically declared demilitarized and open to occupation, and that will consequently not be defended, in order to spare it, under international law, from bombardment or other military attack.
  2. a city or autonomous city-state that gives equal access and status to inhabitants and visitors of all faiths, races, and nationalities.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.