<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-03-06</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000921847</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>HUDSON CITY BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>HCBK</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001206757</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CORRIDON V BARRY</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>WEST 80 CENTURY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>PARAMUS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07652</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Senior Vice President</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>170509</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>2.16</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>569746</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>170509</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.65</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>399237</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>54853</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By PIB</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>59718</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By ESOP</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6412</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.16</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-06</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>170509</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-01-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-01-12</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>170509</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.76</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-07-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>150000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>150000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.22</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-02-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>128240</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>128240</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>12.76</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2009-01-20</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-07-20</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>75000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>75000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Award to the reporting person of 5,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Recognition and Retention Plan (&quot;RRP&quot;), which the stockholders approved at a Special Meeting of Stockholders of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. held on January 13, 2000 (&quot;Special Meeting&quot;), effective February 19, 2004. The shares awarded were adjusted to reflect a 3.206-for-1 stock split on June 7, 2005 and 3,206 shares vested and became directly owned by the reporting person on each of  April 20, 2006, 2007 and 2008. Such award will vest at a rate of 3,206 shares per year on each of April 20, 2009 and 2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Grant to the reporting person of options to purchase 40,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. 2000 Stock Option Plan, which the stockholders approved at the Special Meeting, effective February 19, 2004.  The options awarded and the exercise price of those options were adjusted to reflect a 3.206-for-1 stock split on June 7, 2005 and 25,648 shares vested and became exercisable on each of January 13, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009.  The remaining 25,648 options will vest and become exercisable on January 13, 2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Grant to the reporting person of options to purchase 150,000 shares of common stock pursuant to the Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, which the stockholders approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc. held on June 8, 2006, was effective July 21, 2006.  Such options will vest and become exercisable at a rate of 60% on July 21, 2009 with the remaining 40% vesting on July 21, 2011.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Shares are held in the reporting person's account in the Hudson City Savings Bank Profit Incentive Bonus Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">The price reported in Column 4 is a weighted average price. These shares were sold in multiple transactions at prices ranging from $8.59 to $9.00, inclusive. The reporting person undertakes to provide to Hudson City Bancorp, Inc., any security holder of Hudson City Bancorp, Inc., or the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, full information regarding the number of shares sold at each separate price within the ranges set forth in footnote 5 of this Form 4.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">The shares sold were acquired through the exercise of stock options.  All of these options expire in January 2010 and, therefore, must be exercised or forfeited within the next 10 months.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>On  1/23/09 the reporting person received a grant of Performance Stock Options to purchase 67,500 shares of common stock at a price per share of $12.03. These options have a 10-yr term ending 1/22/19 (or earlier in certain circumstances) &amp; become exercisable provided the reporting person remains in continuous service through such date &amp; certain corp. measures tied to return on equity &amp; diluted earnings per share are satisfied on or prior to 1/23/12. On 1/23/09 the reporting person received a Performance Retention Restricted Stock award of 18,750 shares of common stock. These shares will vest on 1/23/12 provided certain corp. performance measures tied to operating efficiency during the 2009 fiscal yr have been met. On 1/25/08, the reporting person received a grant of Performance Stock Options to purchase 75,000 shares of common stock at a price per share of $15.69.  These options have a 10-yr term ending 1/24/18 (or earlier in certain circumstances) &amp; become exercisable on 1/25/11, provided that the reporting person remains in continuous service through such date &amp; certain corp. performance measures tied to return on equity &amp; diluted earnings per share have been satisfied.  On 1/26/07, the reporting person received a grant of Performance Stock Options to purchase 67,500 shares of common stock at a price per share of $13.78.  These options have a 10-yr term ending 1/25/17 (or earlier in certain circumstances) &amp; become exercisable on 1/26/10 provided that the reporting person remains in continuous service through such date &amp; certain corp. performance measures tied to return on equity &amp; diluted earnings per share have been satisfied. Under applicable SEC regulations, this stock award &amp; these option grants are reportable in Tables I &amp; Il of Form 4, respectively, only if and when the performance conditions have been satisfied.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Veronica A. Olszewski, Attorney-in-Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
