What does naturalisation mean?
Naturalisation chiefly means the process of acquiring citizenship in a country where one was not born, including the legal and social changes that make someone a recognised national. In the same spelling, it can also describe the process by which a foreign plant, animal, or other organism becomes established and adapted in a new environment, sometimes with consequences for local ecosystems. A less common use refers to making something natural in appearance, character, or condition. The word is formal in most contexts, particularly in discussions of immigration law, where it often appears in phrases such as “grant naturalisation” and “apply for naturalisation.” British English normally spells it with an s, while American English uses “naturalization.” The term's biological sense is especially useful because it distinguishes an organism that has merely been introduced from one that has become a lasting part of the local environment.
The legal process by which a person acquires citizenship of a country other than the country of birth, together with the resulting status.
"She received a certificate of naturalisation after completing the required residency period."
Common in British English; the American spelling is naturalization. The term is usually formal and is particularly associated with legal and administrative contexts.
The process by which a non-native organism becomes established and adapted in a new environment.
"Naturalisation of the plant was made possible by the mild climate of the region."
This is a specialised ecological and biological sense.
The process of making something natural in appearance, character, or condition.
"The gradual naturalisation of the garden has softened the boundary between the house and its surroundings."
This sense is less common and usually occurs in descriptive or aesthetic contexts.
The plural is naturalisations in British English and naturalizations in American English. It is usually used when referring to separate cases or processes.
"The court considered the naturalisations of several long-term residents."
A naturalised species is not merely foreign to a new land; it becomes part of that landscape's biological identity.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does naturalisation come from?
The word derives from naturalise, which was formed in the 17th century from Latin naturalis, meaning “of or according to nature,” a word based on the Latin root nat-, meaning “to be born.” The suffix -ation was added to form the noun naturalisation. The verb and noun were later applied metaphorically to citizenship and, subsequently, to the adaptation of non-native organisms to new environments.
Related word forms
How naturalisation is actually used
In British English, naturalisation is the usual spelling; naturalization is the usual American spelling. The word is formal and especially common in legal, immigration, and citizenship contexts. Its ecological sense is more specialised and generally concerns non-native organisms becoming established in a new habitat.
Easily confused with naturalisation
Naturalisation is the British spelling, while naturalization is the American spelling of the same word.
Naturalisation is the noun naming the process, whereas naturalise is the verb describing the act of becoming a citizen or becoming established in a new environment.