gentrification
noun
gen·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌjen-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən 
: a process in which a poor area (as of a city) experiences an influx of middle-class or wealthy people who renovate and rebuild homes and businesses and which often results in an increase in property values and the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents
a neighborhood undergoing gentrification
"This week, we're talking about gentrification. Middle-class people move in. Property values and rents rise. Things change and improve but not for everyone. …"—
Lulu Garcia-Navarro
Lulu Garcia-NavarroOpposition is also stoked by fear of gentrification—displacement of longtime residents through higher rents or property taxes.—Steven Litt
Steven LittThe construction of luxury housing and gentrification of neighborhoods is pushing families out of communities they have called home for years.—Heidi Romanish and David Snyder
Heidi Romanish and David SnyderIn an effort to keep gentrification from creeping in the same way into the 30th Ward … Jessica Gutierrez wants to keep a lid on property taxes and inform residents about affordable housing.—Alexandra Arriaga
Alexandra ArriagaExamples of gentrification in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In 2022, Mamdani protested a $2 billion private housing development in Queens, saying the proposal for 25% of the units to be affordable was inadequate and would cause displacement and gentrification.
—Richard McGahey, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
This year felt especially important as more and more Black establishments in the city shutter due to rising costs, noise complaints, and gentrification.
—Essence, 24 June 2025
One of the other significant themes this season is gentrification and outsiders taking over Black communities.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 June 2025
The loss of the USC Peace Garden isn’t an isolated incident — green spaces across L.A. have struggled to survive amid gentrification and cutbacks on water supply during times of drought.
—Lauren Ng, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentrification
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Richard McGahey, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025
This year felt especially important as more and more Black establishments in the city shutter due to rising costs, noise complaints, and gentrification.
—Essence, 24 June 2025
One of the other significant themes this season is gentrification and outsiders taking over Black communities.
—Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 23 June 2025
The loss of the USC Peace Garden isn’t an isolated incident — green spaces across L.A. have struggled to survive amid gentrification and cutbacks on water supply during times of drought.
—Lauren Ng, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentrification
Cite this Entry
“Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.
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