naturalization
CulturalExplanation
Use the noun naturalization to describe what happens when someone becomes a brand new citizen of a country. If you're born in one country but want to become a citizen of another, you'll have to go through the process of naturalization. There are certain rules and processes involved in naturalization, depending on the country, but you usually have to live there for a certain number of years and swear an oath of loyalty. When biologists use the word naturalization, they're talking about moving plants or animals to a new place where they can thrive.
Vocabulary lists containing naturalization
The Constitution of the United States
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myPerspectives 9.1
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Citizenship (Civics) - Middle School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Without that naturalization, Christian Pulisic might not be playing for the U.S.; in fact, he might not even be in the U.S.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 4, 2026
“Of course, domicile was relevant to naturalization and expatriation. But that by no means suggests it was a prerequisite to national citizenship at birth,” Roberts wrote.
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
First, people registering to vote would be asked to show proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate or naturalization document.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 17, 2026
Because even though their parents cannot gain citizenship because there are laws banning them from naturalization, we do mean the children.
From Slate ● Mar. 16, 2026
He gave cash bonuses for the top five people registering the most voters each month, bonuses for pledged future votes, bonuses for signing up immigrants for naturalization.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
