urbanize

verb

ur·​ban·​ize ˈər-bə-ˌnīz How to pronounce urbanize (audio)
urbanized; urbanizing

transitive verb

1
: to cause to take on urban characteristics
urbanized areas
2
: to impart an urban way of life to
urbanize migrants from rural areas

Examples of urbanize in a Sentence

every September the city of Boston urbanizes a new crop of college students from small towns across the country
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.
And so most countries around the world will need to urbanize to move their populations out of energy poverty, a great transformation that is already taking place at an unprecedented rate. Ted Nordhaus, Foreign Affairs, 30 Aug. 2016 As cities urbanize and increase in density, more buildings and underground utilities become spaces for rats, and more food becomes available for rodents to eat. Sam Walters, Discover Magazine, 6 Feb. 2025 Many cities have pushed back, arguing that so many more homes will more rapidly urbanize their suburban communities. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2024 At the heart of this next revolution is Beijing's plan to urbanize 400 million people by 2030. Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 1 Nov. 2010 See All Example Sentences for urbanize

Word History

First Known Use

1836, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of urbanize was in 1836

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Cite this Entry

“Urbanize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urbanize. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

urbanize

verb
ur·​ban·​ize ˈər-bə-ˌnīz How to pronounce urbanize (audio)
urbanized; urbanizing
1
: to cause to have an urban appearance
urbanized areas
2
: to cause to take on an urban way of life
urbanized the peasant population
urbanization
ˌər-bə-nə-ˈzā-shən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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