globalization

American  

[gloh-buh-luh-zey-shuhn] / ˌgloʊ bə ləˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, globalisation

noun

1. the act of globalizing, or extending to other or all parts of the world.

   the globalization of manufacturing.

2. worldwide integration and development.

   Globablization has resulted in the loss of some individual cultural identities.

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globalization British  

/ ˌɡləʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the process enabling financial and investment markets to operate internationally, largely as a result of deregulation and improved communications

2. the emergence since the 1980s of a single world market dominated by multinational companies, leading to a diminishing capacity for national governments to control their economies

3. the process by which a company, etc, expands to operate internationally

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Etymology

Origin of globalization

First recorded in 1925–30; global ( def. ) + -ization ( def. )

Example Sentences

For years, policymakers celebrated cheap consumer goods as proof that globalization was working.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026

Strazik thinks globalization contributed to America’s declining rate of electricity production.

From Barron's • Feb. 8, 2026

For roughly 35 years after the Cold War, globalization favored efficiency.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 29, 2026

“The EU was founded when the world was flat,” said Calenda, referring to the years of peak optimism that globalization would create a level playing field for people, businesses and nations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 19, 2026

If you put The Lexus and the Olive Tree and this book together, the broad historical argument you end up with is that there have been three great eras of globalization.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman