Americanization

American  

[uh-mer-i-kuh-nahy-zey-shuhn, -ni-zey-] / əˌmɛr ɪ kə naɪˈzeɪ ʃən, -nɪˈzeɪ- /

especially British, Americanisation

noun

1. the act or process of conforming, or making something conform, to the values, customs, and institutions of the United States.

   Our organization demonstrates a dynamic, respectful approach to international aid—one that doesn't attempt an Americanization of a foreign people.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• de-Americanization
  noun

Etymology

Origin of Americanization

Americaniz(e) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Example Sentences

The Russians were annoyed that the subject was Ukraine; the Ukrainians were offended by Copland’s Americanization of their folk music and by Ira Gershwin’s lyrics.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 22, 2025

And they often use a dirty word for it: Americanization.

From New York Times • May 13, 2023

“It’s the Americanization of Brazilian politics,” said Guilherme Casarões, a political analyst at the Getulio Vargas Foundation in Sao Paulo.

From Washington Post • Oct. 28, 2022

For “The Shadow of Your Smile,” he went first to Mercer, with whom he had written “Emily” from “The Americanization of Emily.”

From Seattle Times • Jun. 30, 2020

Following the dramatic Americanization of their children, even my parents grew more publicly confident.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez