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 is 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

The most common path to U.S. citizenship is through a process called naturalization, which typically involves a person who has been a permanent resident for at least five years and meets other eligibility requirements, according to Citizenship and Immigration Services. —Chris Mueller, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024

At the federal level, racial prerequisites for naturalization were struck down in 1952, and nationality quotas ended in 1965. —Devin E. Naar / Made By History, TIME, 9 July 2024

About 150 people from 45 countries became United States citizens during a naturalization ceremony held in Phoenix on Independence Day. —Laura Daniella Sepulveda, The Arizona Republic, 4 July 2024

New Arizonans arrive every day — including on Thursday, when about 150 people from more than 45 countries became American citizens during a naturalization ceremony in Phoenix. —Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 8 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1558, in the meaning defined above

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