naturalization
noun
nat·u·ral·i·za·tion
ˌna-ch(ə-)rə-lə-ˈzā-shən 
plural naturalizations
: the act or process of naturalizing : the state of being naturalized: such as
a
: the course of action undertaken to become a citizen of a country other than the country where one was born
I complete the application for naturalization, wondering whether I know enough American history and government, and whether I could be disqualified for not knowing all the unmemorable lines of Francis Scott Key's "Star Spangled Banner."—
Judy Ray
Judy Ray
b
of a non-native plant or animal
: the process of becoming or the state of being established in the wild so that growth and reproduction is possible without human intervention
This phenomenon follows the typical pattern of invading plant and animal species, the gradual process of naturalization by which ecological balance tends to reassert.—John Eastman
John EastmanExamples of naturalization in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Each naturalization ceremony is different, the USCIS spokesperson added.
—Tom Li, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024
In December, Melania Trump delivered remarks at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, but her husband did not attend the event with her.
—Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 11 July 2024
Melania Trump joined other former first ladies, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama, along with current first lady Jill Biden, at the funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter in November 2023, and spoke at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in December 2023.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 July 2024
Amanpour challenges Le Pen on being 'far-right' 01:16 - Source: CNN
Le Pen’s party currently supports ending the automatic right to citizenship for people born to foreign parents in France and severely restricting citizenship by naturalization.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for naturalization 
Tom Li, The Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2024
In December, Melania Trump delivered remarks at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in Washington, but her husband did not attend the event with her.
—Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 11 July 2024
Melania Trump joined other former first ladies, Hillary Clinton, Laura Bush, and Michelle Obama, along with current first lady Jill Biden, at the funeral of former first lady Rosalynn Carter in November 2023, and spoke at a naturalization ceremony at the National Archives in December 2023.
—Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 25 July 2024
Amanpour challenges Le Pen on being 'far-right' 01:16 - Source: CNN
Le Pen’s party currently supports ending the automatic right to citizenship for people born to foreign parents in France and severely restricting citizenship by naturalization.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN, 5 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for naturalization
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'naturalization.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Naturalization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalization. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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