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

How to prevent dog bites Teller said the keys to teaching dogs not to bite are training and socialization. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 9 May 2025

Aside from socialization, Daris McInnis, assistant professor of literacy at West Chester University, says that the cognitive process of reading is also just hard for all children. —Ashleigh N. Deluca, Parents, 23 Apr. 2025

The transformation appears to have taken place over several weeks, during which Mateo received medical care, food, grooming, and socialization. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025

In my opinion, this lack of respect for themselves, other students and authority stems from changes in family socialization thrust upon the school to heal all ills. —Martin Potters, The Orlando Sentinel, 30 Mar. 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