rhizoverbBeta
DictionarynaturalizationBecoming a citizen
noun

naturalization

nach-ruh-luh-ZAY-shun/ˌnætʃrələˈzeɪʃn/

The process by which a foreign-born person becomes a citizen of a country.

She received citizenship through naturalization.

A new citizen takes an oath at a U.S.
Etymology
naturalEnglishby birth
+izEnglishmake or render
+ationFrenchact or process

Here natural carries its older sense “by birth”: to naturalize someone is to grant a foreigner the rights of a native-born citizen. Naturalization names that change in legal status.

In context

Town Meeting TV17:01
puerto ricans of course are american citizens so do not have to go through any sort of naturalization process to be eligible to vote but they do need to be mobilized and turned out and brought onto the registration roles
Education and Enrichment for Everyone: The Election of 2020

More examples

  • The family attended his naturalization ceremony.
  • The application listed the requirements for naturalization.
  • Naturalization gave him the right to vote in national elections.

Forms

naturalization

naturalize verb — grant or acquire citizenship

Similar words

citizenship
Citizenship is legal membership in a country; naturalization is a process of acquiring it.
immigration
Immigration concerns moving to a country; it does not itself confer citizenship.