gentrification

noun

gen·​tri·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjen-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce gentrification (audio)
: 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
Opposition is also stoked by fear of gentrification—displacement of longtime residents through higher rents or property taxes.Steven Litt
The 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
In 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

Examples of gentrification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Several homeowners interviewed by The Times were ambivalent on the issue of gentrification, weighing the loss of community against the increase in value and an intangible —their sense of security. Doug Smith, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024 Their audacious gambit was launched in response to the gentrification taking place around them, a humorous protest against the capitalist forces that threatened to push the city’s artistic community to its outer edges. Brent Lang, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Many spaces that were used as jazz venues in the early 1900s are no longer around, DeVeaux said, the buildings knocked down and turned into high-rises—the victims of gentrification. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 26 Feb. 2024 This type of adaptive reuse has received some backlash, stirring concerns over gentrification, displacement and the loss of affordable housing. Arielle Paul, New York Times, 20 Feb. 2024 The installation reimagines the typical Miami porch in a dystopian, underwater future where gentrification and climate change have taken their toll on the city. Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 1 Feb. 2024 Juan Floyd-Thomas: Historically, when the Black church or Black churches, were the main center of all social activity for the community around them has faded because of social changes in terms of suburbanization and gentrification. Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 25 Feb. 2024 But the new report noted that the bills do not address the impact of short-term rentals on housing, including displacement and gentrification. Dánica Coto, Quartz, 22 Feb. 2024 Yet, again, their family was on the verge of being broken apart — in this case, through gentrification, which is another new obstacle for communities of color. Esther Zuckerman, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gentrification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

gentry + -ification

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gentrification was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near gentrification

Cite this Entry

“Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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