naturalization

B2 Topic:Actions & Processes

Also spelled naturalisation

US /ˌnætʃ(ə)rələˈzeɪʃən/ UK /ˌnætʃ(ə)rəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #58346

Meanings

1

noun
the legal process by which a non-citizen acquires citizenship of a country

Her naturalization was completed after she met the residence and language requirements.
2

noun
the establishment of an introduced plant or animal as a self-sustaining part of a new environment

The naturalization of the species was confirmed when it began reproducing without human help.
3

noun
the adaptation of a borrowed word, custom, or idea to the character of another language or culture

The naturalization of the loanword changed both its spelling and pronunciation.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the legal process by which... citizenship processadmission to citizenship

2 noun · the establishment of an... establishment acclimatization

3 noun · the adaptation of a... adaptation assimilation

Opposites

denaturalizationexclusion

Word family

Derived forms renaturalization

Related forms naturalize naturalized citizenship acclimatization

Etymology

From French naturalisation, based on naturaliser, 'to admit to citizenship or make natural.' The legal sense treats a foreign-born person as a natural subject; biology and language extended the idea to species or forms that become established in a new setting.

Topics

Actions & Processes

External links

# naturalization

**Type:** Word
**Level:** B2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ˌnætʃ(ə)rələˈzeɪʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /ˌnætʃ(ə)rəlaɪˈzeɪʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 58346

## Meanings
1. the legal process by which a non-citizen acquires citizenship of a country
2. the establishment of an introduced plant or animal as a self-sustaining part of a new environment
3. the adaptation of a borrowed word, custom, or idea to the character of another language or culture

## Examples
- Her naturalization was completed after she met the residence and language requirements.
- The naturalization of the species was confirmed when it began reproducing without human help.
- The naturalization of the loanword changed both its spelling and pronunciation.

## Synonyms
- admission to citizenship
- establishment
- adaptation
- assimilation

## Antonyms
- denaturalization
- exclusion

## Derived Forms
- renaturalization

## Related Forms
- naturalize
- naturalized
- citizenship
- acclimatization

## Etymology
From French naturalisation, based on naturaliser, 'to admit to citizenship or make natural.' The legal sense treats a foreign-born person as a natural subject; biology and language extended the idea to species or forms that become established in a new setting.

## Topics
- Actions & Processes

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