Meaning & use

naturalization

noun·Academic

The legal process by which a foreign resident becomes a full citizen of a country.

See it in a sentence

After five years of residency, she completed her naturalization and received a passport.

The naturalization ceremony included an oath of allegiance and a welcome speech.

A note on using this word

Refers specifically to becoming a citizen through legal process, not to being born a citizen.

Words with a similar meaning

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