Definition

1. Noun:
   • The process of granting citizenship to a foreign national: The legal procedure through which a person not born in a country becomes a citizen of that country.
   • The adaptation of an introduced plant or animal to a new environment: The process by which a non-native species becomes established and thrives in a new region.
   • The process of making something seem natural or part of everyday life: The act of bringing something into conformity with nature or accepted norms.
   • The phonological adaptation of a borrowed word: The process of changing the pronunciation of a loanword to fit the sound system of the borrowing language.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • After living here for ten years, she applied for naturalization.
  • The naturalization of the European rabbit in Australia has had significant ecological impacts.
  • The naturalization of foreign concepts into local culture can be a slow process.
  • The naturalization of the word "café" in English involves dropping the accent and changing the vowel sound.

Advanced Usage

• "Naturalization process": Refers specifically to the legal steps and requirements for becoming a citizen.
  • The naturalization process includes a test on history and government.
• "Naturalization papers": The official documents proving citizenship granted through naturalization.
  • He proudly framed his naturalization papers.
• "Naturalization ceremony": The official event where new citizens take an oath of allegiance.
  • Hundreds of people attended the naturalization ceremony at the courthouse.

Variants and Related Words

• Naturalize (verb): To grant citizenship to; to adapt to a new environment.
  • The country will naturalize eligible residents next month.
  • Some plants can naturalize quickly in a garden.
• Naturalized (adjective): Having acquired citizenship; being acclimatized.
  • She is a naturalized citizen.
  • A naturalized species of flower.

Synonyms

• Citizenship: The status of being a citizen.
• Acclimatization: The process of adapting to a new climate or environment.
• Assimilation: The process of absorbing and integrating into a culture.
• Adaptation: The action of making something suitable for a new use or environment.

Related Phrases

• Oath of Allegiance: The pledge taken during the naturalization ceremony to be loyal to the new country.
  • Taking the Oath of Allegiance is the final step in naturalization.
• Permanent Resident: A status often required before one can apply for naturalization.
  • You must be a permanent resident for several years to be eligible.

Related Idioms

• "To become one of us": An informal way to describe the social aspect of naturalization and integration.
  • After his naturalization, he felt he had finally become one of us.

Noun

1. changing the pronunciation of a borrowed word to agree with the borrowers' phonology
   • the naturalization in English of many Italian words
2. the introduction of animals or plants to places where they flourish but are not indigenous
3. the proceeding whereby a foreigner is granted citizenship
4. the quality of being brought into conformity with nature