urbanization
noun
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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
Peter Hessler, New Yorker, 21 Mar. 2026
Investors who became wealthy from the Gulf region’s abundant oil and gas increasingly are turning to Africa’s clean energy sector, attracted by rising electricity demand, rapid urbanization and the continent’s growing role in global supply chains tied to critical minerals and manufacturing.
—Allan Olingo, Los Angeles Times, 18 Mar. 2026
Investors made wealthy by the Gulf region's abundant oil and gas increasingly are turning to Africa’s clean energy sector, attracted by rising electricity demand, rapid urbanization and the continent’s growing role in global supply chains tied to critical minerals and manufacturing.
—ABC News, 16 Mar. 2026
However despite these developments being widely celebrated, little is known about gentrification, the phenomenon that often accompanies urbanization.
—Chloe Wong, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for urbanization
Cite this Entry
“Urbanization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urbanization. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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