urbanization
noun
Did you know?
The word urbanization started appearing in print way back in the 1880s, which says something about the growth of American cities. The expansion of Los Angeles was an early example of uncontrolled urbanization. Urbanization is often seen as a negative trend, with bad effects on quality of life and the environment. But apartments require much less heat than houses, and commuting by mass transit rather than cars can reduce pollution and energy use, and cities offer improved opportunities for jobs (and often for education and housing as well), so city growth doesn't make everyone unhappy.
Examples of urbanization in a Sentence
Reuters, NBC News, 10 Feb. 2025
According to the researchers, warming, urbanization, and population density are all set to increase in the coming years, amplifying the need for cities to implement new strategies for rat management.
—Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025
Such pieces are hallmarks of Brazilian modernism, a movement that started around the 1940s, as the country saw a surge of immigration, rapid urbanization, and, as a result, a basic need for everyday furniture.
—Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 22 Jan. 2025
The order could result in the felling of millions of trees in the U.S.
What To Know
America's forests have undergone significant changes over the past several centuries, shaped by deforestation, urbanization, agriculture, and conservation initiatives.
—Martha McHardy, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for urbanization
Cite this Entry
“Urbanization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urbanization. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy Citation
Share