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

Expanding urbanization and the use of traditional lighting of buildings, highways and residential neighborhoods are blinding us to an eternal beauty. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026

Deforestation and urbanization are contributors. —Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 Apr. 2026

This is good news because urbanization is a good proxy for higher incomes and higher educational levels. —Big Think, 14 Apr. 2026

The same forces — urbanization, female workforce participation, expensive housing, scarce childcare — are now spreading to China, Europe, and eventually the United States. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 12 Apr. 2026

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