urbanize

[ ur-buh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, ur·ban·ized, ur·ban·iz·ing.

1. to make or cause to become urban, as a locality.

urbanize

/ ˈɜːbəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. usually passive
   1. to make (esp a predominantly rural area or country) more industrialized and urban
   2. to cause the migration of an increasing proportion of (rural dwellers) into cities

Derived Forms

• ˌurbaniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• urban·i·zation noun
• non·urban·ized adjective
• over·urban·ize verb overurbanized overurbanizing
• un·urban·ized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of urbanize¹

First recorded in 1635–45; urban + -ize

Example Sentences

It was a lot more crowded today and it has been urbanized like so many cities.

From Washington Blade

As the world population continues to grow and urbanize, a lot more people will be buying all their food in stores rather than producing any of it on farms or in gardens.

From Singularity Hub 

No modern country has ever reached middle-income status without urbanizing first.

From Time

Sub-Saharan Africa is already one of the fastest urbanizing regions, with around 450 million city dwellers.

From Time