variants
also British naturalise
naturalizes; naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to allow (someone who was born in a different country) to become a new citizen
The government refused to naturalize them without documentation.
naturalized citizens of the U.S.
2
: to cause (a plant or animal from another place) to begin to grow and live in a new area
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.
Cite this Entry
“Naturalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/naturalize. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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