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 are 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

Until then Chinese immigration to the United States was still heavily limited, and government officials sought to weaken the Wong decision by imposing other arbitrary naturalization restrictions. — Claire Ke, Encyclopedia Britannica, 22 July 2026

Mahdawi, who was detained in April 2025 by ICE agents at his naturalization interview in Vermont, had been outspoken on the Columbia University campus in opposition to the war in Gaza. — Armando Garcia, ABC News, 21 July 2026

The law that applies is usually the one that existed on the date of birth or naturalization involved. — Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Voters would generally need a passport, passport card, birth certificate paired with photo identification, naturalization papers, or another qualifying document. — Reid Ribble, Time, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for naturalization

• acclimatisation
• acclimatization
• acidification
• actualization
• annualization
• autocorrelation
• autoregulation
• beatification
• beneficiation
• biodegradation
• biotransformation
• bureaucratization

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