Europeanization
|Eu-ro-pe-an-i-za-tion|
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/ˌjʊərəpɪənaɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/ˌjʊərəpɪənaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
making something like Europe
Etymology
'Europeanization' originates from Modern English, specifically the word 'Europeanize' with the suffix '-ation', where 'European' comes from 'Europe' and the suffix '-ize' comes via Old French/Latin from Greek '-izein' meaning 'to make' and '-ation' from Latin '-atio' marking action or process.
'Europeanization' developed from the adjective 'European' (from Middle English 'Europe' < Old French 'Europe' < Latin 'Europa' < Greek 'Eurōpē') combined with the verb-forming suffix '-ize' and nominalizing suffix '-ation', eventually producing the modern noun 'Europeanization'.
Initially, 'European' simply referred to the continent or its peoples; over time forming verbs and nouns (Europeanize, Europeanization) extended the meaning to the active process of making something 'European' or aligning with European norms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or result of making something European in character (culture, institutions, policies, styles, norms).
The Europeanization of national policies accelerated after the country joined the EU.
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Noun 2
in political science and international relations: the influence of European (often EU) norms, rules, and practices on non-European or member states' domestic institutions and policies.
Scholars study the Europeanization of candidate countries' legal systems during accession negotiations.
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Last updated: 2026/01/11 16:31