normalization

British  

/ ˌnɔːməlaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of normalizing

2. 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

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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

“The normalization of facial surveillance is really problematic,” said Ari Waldman, a professor of law at UC Irvine.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2026

“It would be appropriate to hold off on interest-rate hikes until the situation in the Strait of Hormuz moves toward normalization or the outlook for crude oil procurement becomes clear,” he adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

“Consistent with both logistics and historical precedent, our working assumption remains that full normalization occurs only toward the end of 2026, despite the recent easing in headline prices,” the analysts wrote.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 20, 2026

The more important question is what normalization does to people who aren’t yet adults.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 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