Americanization

noun

Amer·​i·​can·​i·​za·​tion ə-ˌmer-ə-kə-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce Americanization (audio)
-ˌmər-
-ˌme-rə-
1
: the act or process of Americanizing
2
: instruction of foreigners (such as immigrants) in English and in U.S. history, government, and culture

Examples of Americanization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My colleagues Scott Soshnick and Eben Novy-Williams have noted that this World Cup represents, in part, the ongoing Americanization of global soccer. Luke Cyphers, Sportico.com, 11 June 2026 And that would be a significant step toward the global Americanization of the beautiful game. Kirk Bowman, The Conversation, 9 June 2026 Not all of the Americanization will be driven specifically by FIFA. Beau Dure, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2026 In fact, the German scholar Winfried Fluck, in a study of the Americanization of global culture, credited Americans’ dissimilarities with the dominance of its popular culture. Lily Rothman, Time, 23 Apr. 2026 For example, the Diablo Roll is a spin on a fish taco with honey wasabi sauce inspired by his time living in Charlotte, North Carolina versus an Americanization of a Japanese combination. Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026 Given that long history, Jewish Christmas traditions are not necessarily a sign of Americanization. Samira Mehta, Fortune, 24 Dec. 2025 Vahan, the most committed to Americanization, has the darkest and hairiest complexion, and would be least able to provide a convincingly European-ish mien in court. Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 18 Nov. 2025 But the aesthetic marked by rumpled Oxford shirts and popped polos has also found fertile ground in France, a nation famously resistant to Americanization. Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Americanization was in 1849

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Cite this Entry

“Americanization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Americanization. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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