modernization

American  

[mod-er-nahy-zay-shuhn] / ˌmɒd ər naɪˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, modernisation

noun

• modernizations
  plural

1. the act or process of making or becoming up-to-date, or the state of being up-to-date or modern.

   Los Angeles is investing billions in the first major modernization at LAX since the 1984 Olympics.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antimodernization
  noun
• overmodernization
  noun
• remodernization
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• modernizations
  plural

Etymology

Origin of modernization

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

Explanation

Modernization is the process of updating something or making it work in a contemporary setting. The modernization of an office might include new computers, high-speed internet, and a fancy espresso machine. Kitchen modernization usually means new appliances and expensive countertops—the kitchen ends up looking more modern and working in a modern way as well. The modernization of a Shakespeare play, on the other hand, may involve contemporary settings and clothing, or even updating language of the dialogue. Modernization comes via modern, from the Late Latin modernus, "modern," and ultimately the root modo, "just now."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

modernization modernizations

At the same time, the school district has proceeded full force into its ongoing school reconstruction and modernization program, which voters buttressed in November 2024 with $9 billion in bonds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 16, 2026

India is home to one-sixth of humanity, breakneck modernization and the world’s most ethnically, religiously and linguistically diverse population, so some degree of social friction is unavoidable, however tragic.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 7, 2026

The company continues to benefit from broad-based artificial-intelligence adoption, with infrastructure investments and modernization driving demand for its servers and networking solutions, Chief Financial Officer Marie Myers said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026

“Momentum should sustain ahead, driven by infrastructure modernization and expanding enterprise AI adoption.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 2, 2026

It was then that he thought of the decisive step, not only for the modernization of his business but to link the town with the rest of the world.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Projections call for about $5 billion for “major modernizations, upgrades and reconfigurations to school campuses.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2024

Appearing on shelves in mid-June, the new Ninja Turtles action figures have the signature Playmates Toys seal and are in keeping with the original character's color-schemes and trademark weapons, with noticeable modernizations.

From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2023

Scott says that these modernizations are the industry’s prime directive.

From Slate ● Jul. 28, 2023

Announced last week, the latest modernizations to ALMA—officially the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array, which sits high in the Chilean Andes—will cost $37 million and take 6 years to complete.

From Science Magazine ● Feb. 15, 2023

Clever modernizations of old Colonial manses, extensions in Victorian wood, capacious Greek Revival temples lined the street, as impressive and just as forbid ding as ever.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles