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
In my 32 years at FIU, students in my courses and research lab originated from dozens of countries; many were naturalized, some were DACA recipients, others here on student visas.
—
Philip Stoddard, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2025
According to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, a president does not have the power to revoke the citizenship of a person born or naturalized in the United States.
—Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
How many people are naturalized in Arizona every year?
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that all people born or naturalized in the United States are U.S. citizens.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalize
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Philip Stoddard, Sun Sentinel, 13 July 2025
According to the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, a president does not have the power to revoke the citizenship of a person born or naturalized in the United States.
—Daily News Staff, New York Daily News, 12 July 2025
How many people are naturalized in Arizona every year?
—Laura Gersony, AZCentral.com, 4 July 2025
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees that all people born or naturalized in the United States are U.S. citizens.
—David Plazas, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for naturalize
Cite this Entry
“Naturalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalize. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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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