acclimatize

1 of 2

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized; acclimatizing

: acclimate

acclimatization

ə-ˌklī-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

acclimatizer noun

acclimatization

2 of 2

noun

ac·​cli·​ma·​ti·​za·​tion

variants also British acclimatisation

ə-ˌklī-mə-tə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌtī-ˈzā- also a-

plural -s

1

: the process of acclimatizing : the result of acclimatizing

2

ecology : adaptation or increased tolerance of a species to a changed environment in the course of several generations compare acclimation sense 2

Synonyms of acclimatize

Verb

• adapt
• adjust
• tailor
• conform
• put
• suit

Examples of acclimatize in a Sentence

Verb

The mountain climbers spent a few days acclimatizing themselves to the high altitude.

had lived through several northern winters before she fully acclimatized her wardrobe

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The priceless cargo will spend several days acclimatizing before it is carefully unpacked and unfolded for an exhibition that the museum expects to be one of the most popular in its history. — ABC News, 10 July 2026

Sinner will hope Monday’s win was similarly more a reflection of nerves and acclimatizing to the Wimbledon grass rather than an indicator of more trouble ahead. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 29 June 2026

That’s why many of the teams have set themselves up in temporary training camps across the continent, almost like boot camps to acclimatize the players to extreme conditions. — Ben Church, CNN Money, 8 June 2026

Let’s end with a great all-rounder—and a good product for getting acclimatized to using a body cream in your grooming routine. — Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 8 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

ad- + climate + -ize (perhaps modeled on French acclimater) — more at acclimate

Noun

acclimatize + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1802, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for acclimatize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized; acclimatizing

: acclimate

acclimatization

ə-ˌklī-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

acclimatize

verb

ac·​cli·​ma·​tize

variants or British acclimatise

ə-ˈklī-mə-ˌtīz 

acclimatized or British acclimatised; acclimatizing or British acclimatising

transitive verb

: to adapt to a new temperature, altitude, climate, environment, or situation

intransitive verb

: to become acclimatized

acclimatization noun

or British acclimatisation

ə-ˌklī-mət-ə-ˈzā-shən