normalization

British  

/ ˌnɔːməlaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act or process of normalizing

2. social welfare the policy of offering mentally or physically handicapped people patterns, conditions, and experiences of everyday life as close as possible to those of nonhandicapped people, by not segregating them physically, socially, and administratively from the rest of society

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Explanation

Taking something that's out of whack or atypical and bringing it back to an ordinary state is normalization. When two countries in conflict agree to sign a truce, it signifies the normalization of their relationship. Normalization is often used in a political context, for relations between nations, but you can use it for anything that's returned to normal after going off the rails. The normalization of a new parent's sleep schedule can sometimes take years. Another way to use this word is to mean "treating something bizarre as though it's normal." You may be shocked at the normalization of foul language on television — and dismayed at your family's normalization of eating dinner at 4:30 p.m.

Example Sentences

Whether oil prices stay lower will depend on the normalization of oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, which have been effectively blocked for more than a month.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The unwinding of the geopolitical risk premium points to easing supply concerns and hopes for a normalization of flows, though analysts say markets remain highly sensitive to headlines, with volatility elevated and sentiment still fragile.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026

While the intent may have been to show that extremism can hide in plain sight, the effect, critics of the stories argued, was normalization.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

“Reopening the Strait would set off a rapid but uneven normalization, with financial prices adjusting far faster than physical flows,” Kaneva said.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

After conferring with my colleagues, I felt it necessary to speed up the process of normalization.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela