Noun: naturalization 'na-ch(u-)ru-lu'zey-shun [N. Amer], 'na-ch(u-)ru-lI'zey-shun [Brit]
- (law) the proceeding whereby a foreigner is granted citizenship
"After living in the country for five years, she applied for naturalization";
- naturalisation [Brit]
- The introduction of animals or plants to places where they flourish but are not indigenous
"The naturalization of eucalyptus trees in California had unintended ecological consequences";
- naturalisation [Brit]
- The quality of being brought into conformity with nature
"The naturalization of the exotic plants in the garden took several years";
- naturalisation [Brit]
- Changing the pronunciation of a borrowed word to agree with the borrowers' phonology
"the naturalization in English of many Italian words";
- naturalisation [Brit]
Derived forms: naturalizations
Type of: adoption, borrowing, creation, debut, entry, first appearance, foundation, founding, initiation, innovation, instauration, institution, introduction, launching, legal proceeding, naturalness, origination, proceeding, proceedings, unveiling
Encyclopedia: Naturalization