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
Permanent residents born in those countries who had been approved for citizenship saw their naturalization ceremonies cancelled.
—Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
In a case filed in September, the DOJ claimed Volgaev concealed and misrepresented his involvement in the smuggling operation during his naturalization process and thus should lose citizenship.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 2 June 2026
There is smart immigration and naturalization policy, then there is this.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 29 May 2026
In line with control science’s long-standing naturalization of capitalist hierarchy, and its war on intention itself, this reasoning made employers’ and consultants’ responsibility to their workers irrelevant.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for naturalization
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Jonathan Blitzer, New Yorker, 7 June 2026
In a case filed in September, the DOJ claimed Volgaev concealed and misrepresented his involvement in the smuggling operation during his naturalization process and thus should lose citizenship.
—Jaclyn Diaz, NPR, 2 June 2026
There is smart immigration and naturalization policy, then there is this.
—Spin Staff, SPIN, 29 May 2026
In line with control science’s long-standing naturalization of capitalist hierarchy, and its war on intention itself, this reasoning made employers’ and consultants’ responsibility to their workers irrelevant.
—Literary Hub, 12 May 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 9 Jun. 2026.
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