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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See all Example Sentences for urban sprawl 

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urban sprawl was in 1934

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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