homogenize

American  

[huh-moj-uh-nahyz, hoh-] / həˈmɒdʒ əˌnaɪz, hoʊ- /

especially British, homogenise

verb (used with object)

homogenized, homogenizing

1. to form by blending unlike elements; make homogeneous.

2. to prepare an emulsion, as by reducing the size of the fat globules in (milk or cream) in order to distribute them equally throughout.

3. to make uniform or similar, as in composition or function.

   to homogenize school systems.

4. Metallurgy. to subject (metal) to high temperature to ensure uniform diffusion of components.

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verb (used without object)

homogenized, homogenizing

1. to become homogenized.

homogenize British  

/ hɒˈmɒdʒɪˌnaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to break up the fat globules in (milk or cream) so that they are evenly distributed

2. to make or become homogeneous

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Other Word Forms

• homogenization noun
• homogenizer noun
• overhomogenize verb (used with object)
• unhomogenized adjective

Etymology

Origin of homogenize

First recorded in 1885–90; homogen(eous) + -ize

Explanation

To homogenize is to make something the same, or similar. When dairies homogenize milk, they mix it so the cream isn't separate from the rest of the milk, but instead all the liquid is the same consistency. When food processors homogenize milk, they make it uniform or alike, and when circumstances homogenize a neighborhood or school, the result is a group of people who generally all resemble each other. You might complain that high rents and gentrification in your town have homogenized it, leaving only wealthy professionals able to afford to live there. The Greek root, homogenes, means "of the same kind."

Example Sentences

Stagnant communities, by contrast, tend to homogenize over time, as people conform to the views of those around them.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2025

"We tried to homogenize the point density equally year by year to make comparative metrics," Choi said.

From Science Daily • Feb. 6, 2024

Usually U.S. remakes of foreign films tend to homogenize the source material.

From New York Times • Dec. 29, 2022

This is storytelling as an act of resistance against colonialism’s effort to homogenize and erase.

From Washington Post • Aug. 23, 2022

These documents are the expression of the need to unify, homogenize, and integrate forces in a world of relatively autonomous entities-national states-competing more for resources and productive forces than for markets.

From The Civilization of Illiteracy by Nadin, Mihai

Related Words

• accommodate
• adapt
• blend in