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 Eastman
Examples of naturalization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That includes nearly 36,000 Cubans with naturalization applications on hold and 157,000 plus people currently in the United States trying to get green cards, nearly all of them through the Cuban Adjustment Act. —Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 Republicans and Democrats asked Edlow about growing waits for people to get an answer on their work permits or naturalization application. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026 For example, the current N-400 naturalization form’s tax section focuses on whether the applicant owes any overdue federal, state, or local taxes. —Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 On Thursday, as part of the pre-graduation presentations and events, 16 recruits from 11 countries became American citizens in a naturalization ceremony. —Betsy Badell, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naturalization
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 16 Apr. 2026 Republicans and Democrats asked Edlow about growing waits for people to get an answer on their work permits or naturalization application. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 16 Apr. 2026 For example, the current N-400 naturalization form’s tax section focuses on whether the applicant owes any overdue federal, state, or local taxes. —Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026 On Thursday, as part of the pre-graduation presentations and events, 16 recruits from 11 countries became American citizens in a naturalization ceremony. —Betsy Badell, NBC news, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for naturalization
Cite this Entry
“Naturalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/naturalization. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
