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 is 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
Every year, the United States welcomes hundreds of thousands of new citizens in naturalization ceremonies that manage to be both banal and deeply moving.
—Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2024
About one in 10 voters would have trouble producing a document that proves their citizenship — like a birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers — because they might be lost, destroyed or kept in a family member's home or safe, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice.
—Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 26 Sep. 2024
Eschewing a typical opening segment filled with irreverent jokes and a rundown of the headlines the week prior, Oliver switched up the program’s rhythm by quickly transitioning to the show’s — not one, but two — topics at hand: mass deportation and a strange feature of the naturalization process.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2024
The 775 people who participated in the naturalization ceremony Sept. 19 are part of a wave of new U.S. citizens being sworn in across the country, as immigration authorities approve citizenship applications at the fastest speed in a decade.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
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Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 31 Oct. 2024
About one in 10 voters would have trouble producing a document that proves their citizenship — like a birth certificate, passport or naturalization papers — because they might be lost, destroyed or kept in a family member's home or safe, according to a report from the Brennan Center for Justice.
—Hope Karnopp, Journal Sentinel, 26 Sep. 2024
Eschewing a typical opening segment filled with irreverent jokes and a rundown of the headlines the week prior, Oliver switched up the program’s rhythm by quickly transitioning to the show’s — not one, but two — topics at hand: mass deportation and a strange feature of the naturalization process.
—Natalie Oganesyan, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2024
The 775 people who participated in the naturalization ceremony Sept. 19 are part of a wave of new U.S. citizens being sworn in across the country, as immigration authorities approve citizenship applications at the fastest speed in a decade.
—Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for naturalization
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Cite this Entry
“Naturalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalization. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.
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