naturalize
verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈna-ch(ə-)rə-ˌlīz 
naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to confer the rights of a national on
especially
: to admit to citizenship
2
: to introduce into common use or into the vernacular
3
: to bring into conformity with nature
4
: to cause (something, such as a plant) to become established as if native
: to become established as if native
Examples of naturalize in a Sentence
The government refused to naturalize them without documentation.
naturalized citizens of the U.S.
Several Asian fish have become naturalized in these lakes.
Before you naturalize bulbs in your lawn, fertilize well.
These daisies naturalize well in the Pacific Northwest.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mon Laferte’s documentary arrives as the Chilean star — and naturalized Mexican, as of November 2022 — continues her Autopoiética Tour in support of her 2023 album of the same name.
—
Natalia Cano, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2024
On the day before the 4th of July, 98 people from 40 countries were naturalized as American citizens at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis.
—Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 4 July 2024
Guard Alexis Peterson – who has represented the USA but naturalized for Germany ahead of the Games – drew several oohs and aahs from the crowd as her nifty handles dragged a number of defenders off-balance throughout the match.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 24 July 2024
Hakeem, who was born and raised in Nigeria, was selected to his first and only U.S. Olympic team after he was naturalized as an American citizen in 1993 and crowned the NBA MVP in 1994.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for naturalize 
Natalia Cano, Billboard, 1 Aug. 2024
On the day before the 4th of July, 98 people from 40 countries were naturalized as American citizens at the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site in Indianapolis.
—Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 4 July 2024
Guard Alexis Peterson – who has represented the USA but naturalized for Germany ahead of the Games – drew several oohs and aahs from the crowd as her nifty handles dragged a number of defenders off-balance throughout the match.
—Matias Grez, CNN, 24 July 2024
Hakeem, who was born and raised in Nigeria, was selected to his first and only U.S. Olympic team after he was naturalized as an American citizen in 1993 and crowned the NBA MVP in 1994.
—Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 24 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for naturalize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'naturalize.' 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
“Naturalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalize. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
naturalize
verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈnach-(ə-)rə-ˌlīz
naturalized; naturalizing
1
: to introduce into common use
naturalize a foreign word
2
: to become or cause to become established as if native
naturalized weeds
3
: to give the rights and privileges of citizenship to
naturalize a foreign-born person
Legal Definition
naturalize
transitive verb
nat·u·ral·ize
ˈna-chə-rə-ˌlīz
naturalized; naturalizing
: to admit (a person) to citizenship
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