urbanize

[ ur-buh-nahyz ]
/ ˈɜr bəˌnaɪz /

verb (used with object), ur·ban·ized, ur·ban·iz·ing.

to make or cause to become urban, as a locality.
Also especially British, ur·ban·ise.

Origin of urbanize

First recorded in 1635–45; urban + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM urbanize

ur·ban·i·za·tion, noun non·ur·ban·ized, adjective o·ver·ur·ban·ize, verb, o·ver·ur·ban·ized, o·ver·ur·ban·iz·ing. un·ur·ban·ized, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for unurbanized

urbanize

urbanise

/ (ˈɜːbəˌnaɪz) /

verb (tr)

(usually passive)
  1. to make (esp a predominantly rural area or country) more industrialized and urban
  2. to cause the migration of an increasing proportion of (rural dwellers) into cities

Derived forms of urbanize

urbanization or urbanisation, noun