gentrification

noun

gen·​tri·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌjen-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən How to pronounce gentrification (audio)
: a process in which a poor area (as of a city) experiences an influx of middle-class or wealthy people who renovate and rebuild homes and businesses and which often results in an increase in property values and the displacement of earlier, usually poorer residents
a neighborhood undergoing gentrification
"This week, we're talking about gentrification. Middle-class people move in. Property values and rents rise. Things change and improve but not for everyone. …"Lulu Garcia-Navarro
Opposition is also stoked by fear of gentrification—displacement of longtime residents through higher rents or property taxes.Steven Litt
The construction of luxury housing and gentrification of neighborhoods is pushing families out of communities they have called home for years.Heidi Romanish and David Snyder
In an effort to keep gentrification from creeping in the same way into the 30th Ward … Jessica Gutierrez wants to keep a lid on property taxes and inform residents about affordable housing.Alexandra Arriaga

Examples of gentrification in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web After a report last year revealed the dire financial situation faced by artists in London, Justine Simons, the city’s deputy mayor for culture and the creative industries, told the Guardian that the loss of studio space for artists was due to gentrification. Angelica Villa, ARTnews.com, 23 Oct. 2024 In addition to gentrification, Colorado also has witnessed the disproportionate growth in wealth around its resort towns and picturesque soon-to-be-resort towns (if there are any left). Andrew Depietro, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 While the creative team behind the play made the project particularly appealing for Watson, she was also intrigued by how the story navigated the issue of gentrification, told through the perspective of an all-Black cast. Kristen Tauer, WWD, 17 Oct. 2024 The very timely topic of gentrification takes center stage in the comedic and poignant play, Good Bones, the latest from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright James Ijames. Jameelah Nasheed, Essence, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for gentrification 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gentrification.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

gentry + -ification

First Known Use

1964, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gentrification was in 1964

Dictionary Entries Near gentrification

Cite this Entry

“Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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