naturalize

verb

nat·​u·​ral·​ize ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce naturalize (audio)
naturalized; naturalizing

transitive verb

1
: to confer the rights of a national on
especially : to admit to citizenship
2
: to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
3
: to bring into conformity with nature
4
: to cause (something, such as a plant) to become established as if native

intransitive verb

: to become established as if native

Examples of naturalize in a Sentence

The government refused to naturalize them without documentation. naturalized citizens of the U.S. Several Asian fish have become naturalized in these lakes. Before you naturalize bulbs in your lawn, fertilize well. These daisies naturalize well in the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Examples on the Web Thousands of people are naturalized in these states every year. Devin Dwyer, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2024 Navarro and Ji-Zhang are among the more than 3.5 million citizens naturalized since 2020 who have become eligible to vote. Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 22 Oct. 2024 Crocus, snowdrop, grape hyacinth, and squill naturalize well when planted in the lawn or around deciduous trees. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2024 Nearly half of all Arizona immigrants are naturalized. Andi Shae Napier, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for naturalize 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'naturalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of naturalize was in 1559

Dictionary Entries Near naturalize

Cite this Entry

“Naturalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalize. Accessed 3 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

naturalize

verb
nat·​u·​ral·​ize ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce naturalize (audio)
naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to introduce into common use
naturalize a foreign word
2
: to become or cause to become established as if native
naturalized weeds
3
: to give the rights and privileges of citizenship to
naturalize a foreign-born person

Legal Definition

naturalize

transitive verb
nat·​u·​ral·​ize ˈna-chə-rə-ˌlīz How to pronounce naturalize (audio)
naturalized; naturalizing
: to admit (a person) to citizenship
naturalization noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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