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

Opposition is also stoked by fear of gentrification—displacement of longtime residents through higher rents or property taxes.

—Steven Litt

The 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

In 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

Examples of gentrification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite the forces of gentrification at play in the city, many of the culinary businesses along the two main drags, East Coast and Joo Chiat roads, have been in the same families for generations. —Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025

Both Obi and Jeffries expressed concerns about gentrification, but say a variety of homeownership and affordable housing options — as well as investment in and collaboration with local businesses — can ensure the neighborhood's longtime residents don't get pushed out by 2050. —Steph Solis, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025

But the Times found these landlords neglected ongoing maintenance issues, evicted tenants at higher rates and accelerated gentrification in Black neighborhoods. —Teghan Simonton, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025

While many viewed the law as just the latest tool promoting gentrification, others lauded the law as an innovative approach to attract capital to low-income communities. —Venroy July, Baltimore Sun, 28 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

gentry + -ification

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for gentrification

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