urbanization
English meaning: Urbanization
Definition
The increasing concentration of population in cities and the growth of urban areas.
Example
“Rapid urbanization strained the city's housing, transport, and water systems within a decade.”
Another example: “Rapid urbanization has put enormous pressure on the city's water supply.”
Usage — When, Where & How
The growing concentration of people in cities. Common in geography, sociology and development studies. Neutral-to-formal register. US spelling shown; UK uses "urbanisation".
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'urbanus' (of the city); the term spread with industrial growth.
Synonyms
- city growth
Antonyms / Opposites
- ruralization
Related Words
- industrialization
- multiracial
- sprawl
- slums
- modernization
- globalization
- expectancy
- pollution
- deforestation
- governorate
- urban
- sewage
Common Collocations
- rapid urbanization
- urbanization process
- urbanization rate
- increasing urbanization
- urbanization and industrialization
Word Forms
urbanize (v); urbanized; urbanizing [UK: -ise]; urbanization (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B