urbanization

American  

[ur-buh-nuh-zey-shuhn] / ˌɜr bə nəˈzeɪ ʃən /

especially British, urbanisation

noun

1. the act or fact of urbanizing, or taking on the characteristics of a city.

   Urbanization has led to more air pollution and increasing childhood asthma.

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urbanization Cultural  

1. The process by which cities grow or by which societies become more urban.

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Other Word Forms

• overurbanization noun

Etymology

Origin of urbanization

urbaniz(e) + -ation

Example Sentences

“It’s not just about the fires, but it’s about urbanization and how much our city needs to continue the work of doing testing in the water.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 20, 2026

Their work applies population ecology theory to quantify the forces that shaped urbanization across the Classic Maya Lowlands.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2025

Asia’s education sector has become increasingly attractive to private-equity firms and strategic investors due to rapid urbanization and a fast-growing middle class that can now afford higher education for their children.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

Still, it seems that technology and urbanization are rapidly outpacing efforts to curb the myopia epidemic, with people spending more and more time inside on their devices.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2025

The development of writing in Zapotec society went hand-in-hand with growing urbanization.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann