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urban sprawl
noun
: the spreading of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a city
Examples of urban sprawl in a Sentence
efforts to stop urban sprawl
Recent Examples on the Web
If design is, by definition, humans solving problems, foliage in all forms is not just a lovely-to-look-at enhancement of urban sprawl.
—Juliet Kinsman, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2024
That’s because cheap oil also encourages urban sprawl.
—Jim Krane, Foreign Affairs, 24 May 2016
The state’s land use laws, which limit urban sprawl, also contribute to housing scarcity, further pushing up prices.
—Samuel Burke, Fortune, 29 Oct. 2024
Cities and counties must soon consider the impact of development on wildlife connectivity in their land-use plans following the passage of a law intended to promote safe travel across habitat fragmented by urban sprawl and freeways.
—Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1934, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near urban sprawl
Cite this Entry
“Urban sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urban%20sprawl. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
Kids Definition
urban sprawl
noun
: the spreading of urban structures into areas surrounding a city
More from Merriam-Webster on urban sprawl
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for urban sprawl
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