urbanization

noun

ur·​ban·​i·​za·​tion ˌər-bə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

: the quality or state of being urbanized or the process of becoming urbanized

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The word urbanization started appearing in print way back in the 1880s, which says something about the growth of American cities. The expansion of Los Angeles was an early example of uncontrolled urbanization. Urbanization is often seen as a negative trend, with bad effects on quality of life and the environment. But apartments require much less heat than houses, and commuting by mass transit rather than cars can reduce pollution and energy use, and cities offer improved opportunities for jobs (and often for education and housing as well), so city growth doesn't make everyone unhappy.

Examples of urbanization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Cooling and desalination are driving growth, along with urbanization, industrialization, electrifying transport, and data centers. —Mohammed Sergie, semafor.com, 29 Sep. 2025

Blue jays have also expanded their range due to climate, but some of the westward movement has been attributed to land use, with urbanization and development forcing them from their original habitat, Stokes added. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 22 Sep. 2025

Yet across the globe, outdated assets, urbanization, technological disruption, and geopolitical shifts are exposing the limits of yesterday’s systems. —Maurice Obeid, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025

Jeddah’s coastal environment already faces significant stress from rapid urbanization and inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for urbanization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration