Dictionary
naturalize
verb nat·u·ral·ize \ˈna-chə-rə-ˌlīz, ˈnach-rə-\
: to allow (someone who was born in a different country) to become a new citizen
: to cause (a plant or animal from another place) to begin to grow and live in a new area
nat·u·ral·izednat·u·ral·iz·ing
Full Definition of NATURALIZE
transitive verb
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 (as a plant) to become established as if native
intransitive verb
: to become established as if native
— nat·u·ral·i·za·tion \ˌna-chə-rə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌnach-rə-\ noun
See naturalize defined for English-language learners
See naturalize defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of NATURALIZE
1559
NATURALIZED Defined for Kids
naturalize
verb nat·u·ral·ize \ˈna-chə-rə-ˌlīz, ˈnach-rə-\
nat·u·ral·izednat·u·ral·iz·ing
Definition of NATURALIZE for Kids
1
: to become or allow to become a citizen
2
: to become or cause to become established as if native <naturalize a plant>
Learn More About NATURALIZE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: natural keyPrevious Word in the Dictionary: naturalityAll Words Near: naturalize
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up naturalize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).