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 lawsuit comes at a time when there is increasing concern of surveillance in public places, and privacy advocates have rallied against the normalization of surveillance.

From Los Angeles Times • May 20, 2026

Morgan Stanley’s sovereign-debt strategists calculated that Ukrainian government bonds have already priced in 65% of the expected normalization in Ukraine’s macro fundamentals.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

The normalization of being chronically online makes it hard to gauge when phone use becomes addictive, but according to consultant psychologist Darren O’Reilley, addiction should be considered as a restructuring of priorities.

From Slate • May 12, 2026

Semiconductor makers face a helium supply crisis, with market rebalancing expected to take 6-18 months and full normalization years.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 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