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urbanism

American  
[ur-buh-niz-uhm] / ˈɜr bəˌnɪz əm /

noun

  1. the way of life of people who live in a large city.

  2. urbanization.

  3. city planning.


urbanism British  
/ ˈɜːbəˌnɪzəm /

noun

    1. the character of city life

    2. the study of this

  1. a less common term for urbanization See urbanization

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of urbanism

1885–90; urban + -ism, modeled on French urbanisme

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.

He wrote or co-wrote at least 16 books, among them a brilliant monograph on George Howe and his “Paradise Planned: The Garden Suburb and the Modern City,” a massive study of American urbanism.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025

"These factors promoted the coevolution of urbanism, systemic inequality and patron-client relationships in cities."

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

Dismissed as the nemesis of sustainable urbanism, L.A. can, in fact, be well-positioned for the next chapter.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 10, 2025

This early viral video of urbanism directly motivated activists and city leaders in Portland, Chicago, San Francisco, Miami, and New York City to start their own open streets programs.

From Slate • Dec. 22, 2024

Nobody could see at present that his urbanism sat upon him only as a garment.

From The Well-Beloved by Hardy, Thomas

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