globalization

Definitions

Build it in layers: globe (Earth) → global (worldwide) → globalize (to make worldwide) → globalization (the process / state of being made worldwide). Each suffix adds one step, so the whole word means 'the process of the world becoming one connected system.' Note the spelling shortcut: global already absorbed the -al, so we don't write 'globe-al-ize-ation' — the e of globe drops out.

Why It Means This

Globalization is a true modern coinage: it barely existed before the mid-20th century, yet it sits on top of the ancient Latin word for 'ball.' The chain is worth seeing — a ball (globus) became the Earth (globe), the Earth became 'worldwide' (global), and then the world was imagined as actively fusing into one system (globalization). It is the most politically charged member of the family, which is why it spawned both globalism (supporting it) and anti-globalization (opposing it).

Common Collocations

• 1.economic globalization经济全球化
• 2.cultural globalization文化全球化
• 3.the process of globalization全球化进程
• 4.the impact of globalization全球化的影响
• 5.the pace of globalization全球化的步伐

Example Sentences

• 1.

  Globalization has made it cheaper to buy goods from the other side of the planet.

• 2.

  Critics argue that globalization mainly benefits large multinational companies.

• 3.

  The spread of the internet greatly accelerated the pace of globalization.