gentrification
noun
gen·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌjen-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən 
: a process in which a poor area (as of a city) experiences an influx of middle-class or wealthy people who renovate and rebuild homes and businesses and which often results in an increase in property values and the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents
a neighborhood undergoing gentrification
"This week, we're talking about gentrification. Middle-class people move in. Property values and rents rise. Things change and improve but not for everyone. …"—
Lulu Garcia-Navarro
Lulu Garcia-NavarroOpposition is also stoked by fear of gentrification—displacement of longtime residents through higher rents or property taxes.—Steven Litt
Steven LittThe construction of luxury housing and gentrification of neighborhoods is pushing families out of communities they have called home for years.—Heidi Romanish and David Snyder
Heidi Romanish and David SnyderIn an effort to keep gentrification from creeping in the same way into the 30th Ward … Jessica Gutierrez wants to keep a lid on property taxes and inform residents about affordable housing.—Alexandra Arriaga
Alexandra ArriagaExamples of gentrification in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
García Mercado is just one of so many Puerto Ricans who've felt forced to leave their island because of a lack of economic opportunity amid its decades-long debt crisis, worsening infrastructure, rising prices amid a wave of gentrification, and deteriorating services.
—Adrian Florido, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
The plan sets out many other examples in its 48 pages on how to combat the effects of gentrification.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025
The case underscores long-standing issues of gentrification in Austin, a city that, like many across the nation, is grappling with how to address growing and complex housing affordability problems.
—Shonda Novak, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Protesters marched in neighborhoods that are popular with tourists, as well as near the U.S. Embassy and inside metro stations in a stand against gentrification of the popular destination.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
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Adrian Florido, NPR, 16 Aug. 2025
The plan sets out many other examples in its 48 pages on how to combat the effects of gentrification.
—Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025
The case underscores long-standing issues of gentrification in Austin, a city that, like many across the nation, is grappling with how to address growing and complex housing affordability problems.
—Shonda Novak, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
Protesters marched in neighborhoods that are popular with tourists, as well as near the U.S. Embassy and inside metro stations in a stand against gentrification of the popular destination.
—Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentrification
Cite this Entry
“Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
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