Naturalize: meaning, definitions and examples

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naturalize

[ ˈnætʃərəˌlaɪz ]

^{Context #1}

immigration

To grant citizenship to a foreigner; to make someone a citizen of a country where they were not born.

Synonyms

citizenize, nationalize

Examples of usage

He decided to naturalize in the United States after living there for many years.
She went through the process to naturalize and become a citizen of the new country.

^{Context #2}

biology

To introduce a foreign species into a region where it is not native, often with harmful effects on the local ecosystem.

Synonyms

introduce, invasive

Examples of usage

The introduction of the invasive plant species naturalized quickly and started to outcompete native plants.
In some cases, naturalizing a species can disrupt the balance of the ecosystem.

Translations

Translations of the word "naturalize" in other languages:

🇵🇹 naturalizar

🇮🇳 प्राकृतिक बनाना

🇩🇪 einbürgern

🇮🇩 menyulihkan

🇺🇦 натуралізувати

🇵🇱 naturalizować

🇯🇵 帰化する

🇫🇷 naturaliser

🇪🇸 naturalizar

🇹🇷 vatandaşlık vermek

🇰🇷 귀화하다

🇸🇦 تجنيس

🇨🇿 naturalizovat

🇸🇰 naturalizovať

🇨🇳 归化

🇸🇮 pridobiti državljanstvo

🇮🇸 nátúran

🇰🇿 азаматтыққа қабылдау

🇬🇪 ნატურალიზება

🇦🇿 təbiiləşdirmək

🇲🇽 naturalizar

Word origin

The word 'naturalize' originated in the late 18th century, derived from the Latin word 'naturalis' meaning 'by birth' or 'according to nature'. Initially used in legal contexts to refer to the granting of citizenship, it later expanded to include the introduction of foreign species into new environments.