westernize

[ wes-ter-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, west·ern·ized, west·ern·iz·ing.

1. to influence with ideas, customs, practices, etc., characteristic of Europe and North America.

westernize

/ ˈwɛstəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. tr to influence or make familiar with the customs, practices, etc, of the West

Derived Forms

• ˌwesterniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• west·ern·i·za·tion especially British, west·ern·i·sa·tion [wes-ter-nahy-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• un·west·ern·ized especially British, un·west·ern·ised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of westernize¹

First recorded in 1830–40; western + -ize

Example Sentences

Officials tried to westernize him, including by attempting to comb his hair flat, and falsely told him his parents had died in a house fire.

From Washington Post