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
Several months later, on March 7, 2025, his case progressed further when an interview for his naturalization application was scheduled, marking a significant step toward completing his path to citizenship.
—Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
The Council on Foreign Relations describes naturalization as a process where a non-U.S. citizen can apply for citizenship after meeting specific requirements, such as passing a civics test, demonstrating basic English proficiency and living in the States over a continuous period of time.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 May 2025
Community service projects included voter registration drives, a record sealing clinic, a naturalization clinic and fundraisers for students in Springdale Public Schools.
—Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
There is no scenario in which the naturalization of the creatures manufactured in the dire wolf project would be anything other than a Jurassic Park-sized mistake.
—Douglas McCauley, Time, 27 Apr. 2025
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Billal Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025
The Council on Foreign Relations describes naturalization as a process where a non-U.S. citizen can apply for citizenship after meeting specific requirements, such as passing a civics test, demonstrating basic English proficiency and living in the States over a continuous period of time.
—Ramon Padilla, USA Today, 18 May 2025
Community service projects included voter registration drives, a record sealing clinic, a naturalization clinic and fundraisers for students in Springdale Public Schools.
—Carin Schoppmeyer, Arkansas Online, 11 May 2025
There is no scenario in which the naturalization of the creatures manufactured in the dire wolf project would be anything other than a Jurassic Park-sized mistake.
—Douglas McCauley, Time, 27 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalization
Cite this Entry
“Naturalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalization. Accessed 31 May. 2025.
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