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

Particularly from 1850, a time when industrialization and urbanization grew rapidly. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2025

The study reveals as urbanization increasingly encroaches upon bat-safe caves, invasive, city-dwelling rats are likely to follow. —NPR, 8 Nov. 2025

The authors found traces of these ancient roads by comparing historical evidence — such as items found during excavation or in historical travel records — with satellite imagery and topographic maps that show a time before dense urbanization. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 6 Nov. 2025

However, increasing urbanization and changing consumer expectations created new opportunities. —Maria Williams, USA Today, 8 Oct. 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