normalization
Britishnoun
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the act or process of normalizing
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social welfare the policy of offering mentally or physically handicapped people patterns, conditions, and experiences of everyday life as close as possible to those of nonhandicapped people, by not segregating them physically, socially, and administratively from the rest of society
Explanation
Taking something that's out of whack or atypical and bringing it back to an ordinary state is normalization. When two countries in conflict agree to sign a truce, it signifies the normalization of their relationship. Normalization is often used in a political context, for relations between nations, but you can use it for anything that's returned to normal after going off the rails. The normalization of a new parent's sleep schedule can sometimes take years. Another way to use this word is to mean "treating something bizarre as though it's normal." You may be shocked at the normalization of foul language on television — and dismayed at your family's normalization of eating dinner at 4:30 p.m.
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.
Still, the recent uptick in oil flows could be just the beginning of the normalization.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 21, 2026
The gap between the two sides leaves the prospect of a near-term agreement, and a broader normalization of oil flows through the strait, uncertain, according to Sally Auld, group chief economist at National Australia Bank.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
A more unified decision would signal a stronger consensus among the board on how to proceed with monetary normalization.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 15, 2026
Afterward, Connolly said she told Trump that “the normalization of war and genocide can never be accepted,” citing Ireland’s own history of famine, colonization and the Troubles.
From Salon ● Sep. 13, 2026
I’d gotten a little more than I bargained for when I’d agreed to join Jules’s campaign for normalization.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
