socialization

noun

so·​cial·​i·​za·​tion ˌsō-sh(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

1

a

: the process beginning during childhood by which individuals acquire the values, habits, and attitudes of a society

But certainly dealing with shame and its boundaries is soon a constant factor in the socialization of the child, because standards and rules are everywhere …

—Robert Karen

The most important feature of culture is that it can be transmitted, and thus the young can acquire adaptive repertoires through the learning process or, in sociological terms, the socialization process.

—David Mechanic

b

: social interaction with others

She also made spelling an exercise in socialization, by putting together children who did not seem predisposed to like each other.

—Tracy Kidder

With its idiosyncratic rhythms, rules and relationships, the coffee bar, these new workers say, has replaced the local bar as a place of socialization.

—Kirk Johnson

c

: exposure of a young domestic animal (such as a kitten or puppy) to a variety of people, animals, and situations to minimize fear and aggression and promote friendliness

Some adult dogs, because of a lack of socialization combined with genetic tendencies, can never transfer certain individuals from the "unfamiliar" to the "familiar" category.

—Dog Watch

2

: the action or process of making something (such as an industry) socialistic : conversion to collective or governmental ownership and control

the socialization of medicine

In the case of Vietnam the exodus was also related to … the government's decision of March 1978 to close down privately run businesses. This was a move to accelerate the socialization of the economy …

—T. E. Vedney

Examples of socialization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Williams sees the literacy gap between boys and girls as a matter of socialization. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 23 Apr. 2025

Teamwork, socialization, and other types of in-person connection are what workers cite as the most desirable aspects of choosing an office over working from home. —Ryan Anderson, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

These programs typically consist of a series of classes where puppies can interact safely with other dogs and people, providing essential socialization during their critical developmental period between three and 17 weeks of age. —Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025

For example, one category requires no experience and is centered around socialization, exercise and enrichment. —Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for socialization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Medical Definition

socialization

noun

so·​cial·​iza·​tion

variants also British socialisation

ˌsōsh-(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

: the process by which a human being beginning at infancy acquires the habits, beliefs, and accumulated knowledge of society through education and training for adult status