naturalize
verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 
naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to confer the rights of a national on
especially
: to admit to citizenship
2
: to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
3
: to bring into conformity with nature
4
: to cause (something, such as a plant) to become established as if native
: to become established as if native
Examples of naturalize in a Sentence
The government refused to naturalize them without documentation.
naturalized citizens of the U.S.
Several Asian fish have become naturalized in these lakes.
Before you naturalize bulbs in your lawn, fertilize well.
These daisies naturalize well in the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Associated Press profiled the woman in 2024 as part of a story about how many international adoptees were left without citizenship because their American adoptive parents failed to naturalize them.
—
Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
He was naturalized in 1949 and elected to Congress in 1956, the first Indian-American to serve there.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The messaging raises concerns among immigrant advocates, legal scholars and naturalized Americans about the potential for abuse.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 June 2026
People born or naturalized here are citizens.
—Natashia Deon, Oc Register, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for naturalize
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Claire Galofaro, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2026
He was naturalized in 1949 and elected to Congress in 1956, the first Indian-American to serve there.
—Alex Knapp, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026
The messaging raises concerns among immigrant advocates, legal scholars and naturalized Americans about the potential for abuse.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 June 2026
People born or naturalized here are citizens.
—Natashia Deon, Oc Register, 31 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for naturalize
Cite this Entry
“Naturalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalize. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
naturalize
verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz
naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to introduce into common use
naturalize a foreign word
2
: to become or cause to become established as if native
naturalized weeds
3
: to give the rights and privileges of citizenship to
naturalize a foreign-born person
Legal Definition
naturalize
transitive verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈna-chə-rə-ˌlīz
naturalized; naturalizing
: to admit (a person) to citizenship
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