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
Agents in an unmarked car pulled over Ernesto Campos, the owner of a Bakersfield gardening service who was naturalized as a U.S. citizen more than 10 years ago.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
In the United States, this practice is protected under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
At the time, the federal government had switched from paper to using digital fingerprints, and Homeland Security officials uncovered hundreds of cases in which naturalized citizens had been previously deported or lied about criminal records that USCIS couldn't see.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship for people born and naturalized in the U.S.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for naturalize 
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Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2025
In the United States, this practice is protected under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which states that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens.
—Justin Gest, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
At the time, the federal government had switched from paper to using digital fingerprints, and Homeland Security officials uncovered hundreds of cases in which naturalized citizens had been previously deported or lied about criminal records that USCIS couldn't see.
—Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees citizenship for people born and naturalized in the U.S.
—John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for naturalize
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Dictionary Entries Near naturalize
Cite this Entry
“Naturalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/naturalize. Accessed 16 Feb. 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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