urbanization

noun

ur·​ban·​i·​za·​tion ˌər-bə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

: the quality or state of being urbanized or the process of becoming urbanized

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The word urbanization started appearing in print way back in the 1880s, which says something about the growth of American cities. The expansion of Los Angeles was an early example of uncontrolled urbanization. Urbanization is often seen as a negative trend, with bad effects on quality of life and the environment. But apartments require much less heat than houses, and commuting by mass transit rather than cars can reduce pollution and energy use, and cities offer improved opportunities for jobs (and often for education and housing as well), so city growth doesn't make everyone unhappy.

Examples of urbanization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

While rural communities continue to shrink except in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, small and medium-sized cities are expected to drive the next wave of global urbanization, spurring both opportunities and challenges in infrastructure, housing, and climate adaptation. —Sam Stevenson, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Nov. 2025

The report, which provides estimates and projections on the world's population, detailed the stark rise in urbanization that's seen dwindling populations in rural areas and the creation of more megacities, which are those with more than 10 million inhabitants. —Christopher Cann, USA Today, 25 Nov. 2025

Data from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority indicates that Kenya’s electricity demand surged to 2,316 MW in 2024, the highest on record, driven by industrial growth and urbanization. —Martin K.n Siele, semafor.com, 21 Nov. 2025

Particularly from 1850, a time when industrialization and urbanization grew rapidly. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 11 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for urbanization

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