naturalize
natu|ral|ize /n'ætʃərəlaɪz/ (naturalizes naturalizing naturalized)
in BRIT, also use naturalise
1 [VERB] V n, V
To naturalize a species of plant means to start it growing in an area where it is not usually found. If a plant naturalizes in an area where it was not found before, it starts to grow there naturally.
A friend sent me a root from Mexico, and I hope to naturalize it...
The plant naturalises well in grass.
2 [VERB] V n
If the government of a country naturalizes someone, they allow a person who was not born in that country to become a citizen of it.
No one expects the Baltic states to naturalise young Russian soldiers, but army pensioners can be given citizenship.
see also naturalized
● naturalization [N-UNCOUNT]
They swore their allegiance to the USA and received their naturalization papers.
in BRIT, also use naturalise
1 [VERB] V n, V
To naturalize a species of plant means to start it growing in an area where it is not usually found. If a plant naturalizes in an area where it was not found before, it starts to grow there naturally.
A friend sent me a root from Mexico, and I hope to naturalize it...
The plant naturalises well in grass.
2 [VERB] V n
If the government of a country naturalizes someone, they allow a person who was not born in that country to become a citizen of it.
No one expects the Baltic states to naturalise young Russian soldiers, but army pensioners can be given citizenship.
see also naturalized
● naturalization [N-UNCOUNT]
They swore their allegiance to the USA and received their naturalization papers.