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
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
John EastmanExamples of naturalization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Their charges range from illegally voting in a federal election to making false statements when applying for citizenship and unlawful procurement of citizenship or naturalization.
—ABC News, 2 May 2026
His administration has frozen the processing of green cards, asylum applications, naturalization applications and work permits for Cuban nationals and people from several other countries.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
They generally have been reserved for those who posed credible threats to public safety or national security, committed war crimes or crimes against humanity, or committed felonies before or during the naturalization process without disclosing them.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Republicans and Democrats asked Edlow about growing waits for people to get an answer on their work permits or naturalization application.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for naturalization
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ABC News, 2 May 2026
His administration has frozen the processing of green cards, asylum applications, naturalization applications and work permits for Cuban nationals and people from several other countries.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
They generally have been reserved for those who posed credible threats to public safety or national security, committed war crimes or crimes against humanity, or committed felonies before or during the naturalization process without disclosing them.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 28 Apr. 2026
Republicans and Democrats asked Edlow about growing waits for people to get an answer on their work permits or naturalization application.
—Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for naturalization
Cite this Entry
“Naturalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalization. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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