gentrification
noun
gen·tri·fi·ca·tion
ˌjen-trə-fə-ˈkā-shən 
: 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
Lulu Garcia-NavarroOpposition is also stoked by fear of gentrification—displacement of longtime residents through higher rents or property taxes.—Steven Litt
Steven LittThe 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
Heidi Romanish and David SnyderIn 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
Alexandra ArriagaExamples of gentrification in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But decreasing birth rates and continued gentrification that pushes families out of the city are expected to lead to enrollment losses in the coming years, the report says.
—Melanie Asmar, Denver Post, 6 June 2025
The price of mass gentrification is more than overpriced coffee and an increase in rent.
—Essence, 20 May 2025
That is raising concerns among some community members that in building pricey new houses, developers will usher in a wave of gentrification that will at least partially wipe away the architectural, racial and economic diversity that’s a hallmark of the small town below the San Gabriel Mountains.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Besides a decrease in consumer spending, others include the prevalence of reverse gentrification, an increase in secondhand shopping and rising unemployment rates.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentrification
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.
Melanie Asmar, Denver Post, 6 June 2025
The price of mass gentrification is more than overpriced coffee and an increase in rent.
—Essence, 20 May 2025
That is raising concerns among some community members that in building pricey new houses, developers will usher in a wave of gentrification that will at least partially wipe away the architectural, racial and economic diversity that’s a hallmark of the small town below the San Gabriel Mountains.
—Andrew Khouri, Los Angeles Times, 2 May 2025
Besides a decrease in consumer spending, others include the prevalence of reverse gentrification, an increase in secondhand shopping and rising unemployment rates.
—Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for gentrification
Cite this Entry
“Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share