europeanization
|eu-ro-pe-an-i-za-tion|
🇺🇸
/jʊˌroʊpiənaɪˈzeɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/jʊˌrəʊpiənaɪˈzeɪʃ(ə)n/
(europeanize)
becoming European
Etymology
'europeanization' originates from Modern English, specifically the word 'Europeanize' + the suffix '-ation', where 'European' meant 'relating to Europe' and the suffix '-ation' indicated 'the action or process of'.
'europeanization' changed from the verb 'Europeanize', which formed from 'European' (from Middle English 'Europe', from Old French 'Erope', from Latin 'Europa') and the verbalizing suffix '-ize'; the noun arose by adding '-ation' to form 'europeanization'.
Initially it meant 'to make like Europe' (i.e., 'to become European in character'), but over time it broadened to include political, legal, economic, and cultural processes of alignment with European norms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or result of becoming European in character, style, or cultural traits; adoption of European tastes, institutions, or social patterns.
The europeanization of the city's architecture gave it a more classical, continental feel.
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Noun 2
the process by which a country, region, or institution adopts European political, legal, economic, or administrative standards (often used in discussions of EU integration and policy convergence).
Scholars debated the europeanization of candidate states as they harmonized laws with EU requirements.
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Last updated: 2026/01/11 18:02