urbanization

noun

ur·​ban·​i·​za·​tion ˌər-bə-nə-ˈzā-shən 

: the quality or state of being urbanized or the process of becoming urbanized

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The word urbanization started appearing in print way back in the 1880s, which says something about the growth of American cities. The expansion of Los Angeles was an early example of uncontrolled urbanization. Urbanization is often seen as a negative trend, with bad effects on quality of life and the environment. But apartments require much less heat than houses, and commuting by mass transit rather than cars can reduce pollution and energy use, and cities offer improved opportunities for jobs (and often for education and housing as well), so city growth doesn't make everyone unhappy.

Examples of urbanization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The practice has declined with growing pet ownership and urbanization, and younger Vietnamese are more likely to regard dogs and cats as companion animals. — ABC News, 6 Oct. 2026

The continent is thought to have some 4,000 butterfly species, but many face habitat destruction as a result of urbanization and a rapidly warming planet. — Sophie Neiman, Christian Science Monitor, 5 Oct. 2026

However, multiple factors, including urbanization, hurricanes, droughts and poor water quality were degrading the environment. — Colson Thayer, PEOPLE, 23 Sep. 2026

Its growing population and fast pace of urbanization will keep the demand trend for the refinery upwards, according to the bank and other equity analysts. — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for urbanization

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration