naturalization
noun
nat·u·ral·i·za·tion
ˌna-ch(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
plural naturalizations
: the act or process of naturalizing : the state of being naturalized: such as
a
: the course of action undertaken to become a citizen of a country other than the country where one was born
I complete the application for naturalization, wondering whether I know enough American history and government, and whether I could be disqualified for not knowing all the unmemorable lines of Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner."—
Judy Ray
Judy Ray
b
of a non-native plant or animal
: the process of becoming or the state of being established in the wild so that growth and reproduction are possible without human intervention
This phenomenon follows the typical pattern of invading plant and animal species, the gradual process of naturalization by which ecological balance tends to reassert.—John Eastman
John EastmanExamples of naturalization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This applies when a person did not actually meet the legal requirements for naturalization at the time citizenship was sought, such as failing to satisfy residency, lawful status, or other statutory eligibility criteria.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In February, Federal Judge Vernon Oliver presided over three naturalization ceremonies in one morning in his Hartford courtroom.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
The bill would require Americans to show documentary proof of citizenship – such as a birth certificate, passport or naturalization documents – to register to vote in federal elections.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Haiti also had 6,750 adjustment of status applications, while Venezuela had 16,870 adjustment of status and 10,780 naturalization applications on hold, the analysis estimated.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for naturalization
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Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In February, Federal Judge Vernon Oliver presided over three naturalization ceremonies in one morning in his Hartford courtroom.
—Laura Tillman, Hartford Courant, 30 Mar. 2026
The bill would require Americans to show documentary proof of citizenship – such as a birth certificate, passport or naturalization documents – to register to vote in federal elections.
—Josh Meyer, USA Today, 21 Mar. 2026
Haiti also had 6,750 adjustment of status applications, while Venezuela had 16,870 adjustment of status and 10,780 naturalization applications on hold, the analysis estimated.
—Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 20 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for naturalization
Cite this Entry
“Naturalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalization. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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