naturalize
verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 
naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to confer the rights of a national on
especially
: to admit to citizenship
2
: to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
3
: to bring into conformity with nature
4
: to cause (something, such as a plant) to become established as if native
: to become established as if native
Examples of naturalize in a Sentence
The government refused to naturalize them without documentation.
naturalized citizens of the U.S.
Several Asian fish have become naturalized in these lakes.
Before you naturalize bulbs in your lawn, fertilize well.
These daisies naturalize well in the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time, the federal government had switched from paper to using digital fingerprints, and Homeland Security officials uncovered hundreds of cases in which naturalized citizens had been previously deported or lied about criminal records that USCIS couldn't see.
—
Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship for people born and naturalized in the U.S.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
The lawsuits argue that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship for people born and naturalized in the U.S., and states have been interpreting the amendment that way for a century.
—Mike Catalini, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
Under the Exclusion Act, the parents were not permitted to get naturalized.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for naturalize 
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Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship for people born and naturalized in the U.S.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
The lawsuits argue that the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship for people born and naturalized in the U.S., and states have been interpreting the amendment that way for a century.
—Mike Catalini, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2025
Under the Exclusion Act, the parents were not permitted to get naturalized.
—Kimmy Yam, NBC News, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for naturalize
Articles Related to naturalize
Dictionary Entries Near naturalize
Cite this Entry
“Naturalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalize. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
naturalize
verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz
naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to introduce into common use
naturalize a foreign word
2
: to become or cause to become established as if native
naturalized weeds
3
: to give the rights and privileges of citizenship to
naturalize a foreign-born person
Legal Definition
naturalize
transitive verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈna-chə-rə-ˌlīz
naturalized; naturalizing
: to admit (a person) to citizenship
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