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

Ways that people have been able to subvert the historical narrative around it into something new that has resulted instead in processes of naturalization, inclusion, acceptance? —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Dec. 2025

This review affects holders of green cards, employment authorization documents (EADs), travel documents, and, in some cases, naturalization applicants who already completed interviews and other standard vetting processes. —Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Dec. 2025

The new policy is creating anxiety, particularly in South Florida, home to many immigrants from Latin America and the Caribbean who are already coping with years-long backlogs for asylum interviews, green cards and naturalization ceremonies. —Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025

Efforts are underway to bring back naturalization ceremonies at local courthouses. —Tony Aiello, CBS News, 19 Nov. 2025

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