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
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Government officials caved to the requests by announcing a preliminary plan to address gentrification and the other concerns of locals, The Associated Press (AP) reported. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 31 July 2025 Those who suffer the most from gentrification’s effects are people with low to moderate income and are disproportionately non-white. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2025 Their audacious gambit was launched in response to the gentrification taking place in Providence. Addie Morfoot, Variety, 24 July 2025 But the arrival of short-term rental platforms like Airbnb and remote work policies during the Covid-19 pandemic turbo-charged the gentrification debate in recent years. Gerardo Lemos, CNN Money, 17 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gentrification

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

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Cite this Entry

“Gentrification.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gentrification. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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