naturalization

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​i·​za·​tion ˌna-ch(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

plural naturalizations

: the act or process of naturalizing : the state of being naturalized: such as

a

: the course of action undertaken to become a citizen of a country other than the country where one was born

I complete the application for naturalization, wondering whether I know enough American history and government, and whether I could be disqualified for not knowing all the unmemorable lines of Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner."

—Judy Ray

b

of a non-native plant or animal : the process of becoming or the state of being established in the wild so that growth and reproduction is possible without human intervention

This phenomenon follows the typical pattern of invading plant and animal species, the gradual process of naturalization by which ecological balance tends to reassert.

—John Eastman

Examples of naturalization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There is a movement underway to require that all public-school students pass the civics portion of the U.S. naturalization test—100 basic facts about U.S. history and civics—before receiving their high-school diploma, and that’s a start. —Nisha Whitehead, Orange County Register, 3 June 2024

Its archives now include naturalization records for Latinos dating back to the 1930s, the beginnings of the 16th Street Community Health Center, visits from American labor leader Cesar Chavez and more. —Gina Lee Castro, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024

At present, the European politicians have issued nonbinding notices, statements, and resolutions in an effort to stop the practice, but Surak believes that Brussels will eventually try to extend its jurisdiction over naturalization matters. —Atossa Araxia Abrahamian, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023

This month, archivists will reportedly begin with naturalization petitions from US immigrants who served in the military between 1918 and 1947. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 May 2024

While some promise full citizenship, others offer residency rights and a pathway toward naturalization. —Erika Page, The Christian Science Monitor, 14 May 2024

Announced on Thursday, organizers intend to make an initial 65.5 million documents available online within two years, including World War II and Korean War era military files, as well as immigration and naturalization reports. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 9 May 2024

Greece, like many European countries, grants citizenship through naturalization to those who have lived there with legal residency for a certain number of years. —Kathleen Peddicord, Forbes, 29 Mar. 2024

The point of the Citizenship Amendment Act will be to make these naturalizations possible on a national level, and more visible. —Sameer Yasir, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

naturalization

noun

nat·​u·​ral·​i·​za·​tion

ˌnach-(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən

: the act or process of naturalizing : the state of being naturalized