Americanize

verb

Amer·​i·​can·​ize ə-ˈmer-ə-kə-ˌnīz How to pronounce Americanize (audio)
-ˈmər-, 
-ˈme-rə-
Americanized; Americanizing

transitive verb

1
: to cause to acquire or conform to American characteristics
2
: to bring (something, such as an area) under the political, cultural, or commercial influence of the U.S.

intransitive verb

: to acquire or conform to American traits

Examples of Americanize in a Sentence

The editors of the book decided to Americanize the spelling.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Club World Cup tried to be different, perhaps an attempt to Americanize the experience. — Miami Herald, 14 July 2025 It was shortened and Americanized over time, which is how it became known as Alcatraz, according to the National Park Service. — Melina Khan, USA Today, 5 May 2025 From his breakout mixtapes in the late 2000s to major label success, Montana represents an earlier wave of diasporic success—one that had to Americanize first, then reconnect with its roots. — Maha Elnabawi, Billboard, 29 Apr. 2025 The collapse of the Soviet state over the next decade brought a fresh campaign to Americanize Russia by cajoling it to build its post-Communist future around the beacons of democracy and capitalism. — Eric Jason Martin Tanya Pérez Ted Blaisdell, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for Americanize

Word History

First Known Use

1686, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Americanize was in 1686

Rhymes for Americanize

See All Rhymes for Americanize

Browse Nearby Words

Americanization
Americanize
Americanized
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Americanize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Americanize. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Americanize

verb
Amer·​i·​can·​ize ə-ˈmer-ə-kə-ˌnīz How to pronounce Americanize (audio)
Americanized; Americanizing
: to make or become American (as in customs, habits, dress, or speech)
Americanization
ə-ˌmer-ə-kə-nə-ˈzā-shən
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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