urban sprawl

noun

: the spreading of urban developments (such as houses and shopping centers) on undeveloped land near a city

Examples of urban sprawl in a Sentence

efforts to stop urban sprawl
Recent Examples on the Web And, of course, the USA and to a lesser extent Canada and Australia chose a different and worse pattern, urban sprawl. Michael Barnard, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 Ur was not as resistant to urban sprawl as was previously thought. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 13 Dec. 2023 For California in particular, there is too much urban sprawl, which reduces the density necessary to support rail systems. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Dec. 2023 China’s rapid urbanization generated distinctive architectural and construction styles, heavy civil infrastructure, urban sprawl, and a disregard for historical landmarks, but its policies have also been evolving. Simon Curtis and Ian Klaus, Foreign Affairs, 27 Nov. 2023 Just south of Baghdad, the urban sprawl gives way to glimpses of green, with lush date palm groves bordering the Euphrates River. Alissa J. Rubin Emily Garthwaite, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2023 As the landscape of Northwest Arkansas has shifted because of urban sprawl, the Farmers Cooperative stores in Lincoln and Prairie Grove have adjusted to meet the region's changing needs, according to Matt Crabtree, chief executive officer since December 2018. Lynn Kutter, Arkansas Online, 31 Oct. 2023 Otherwise, growth will continue occurring elsewhere, leading to additional urban sprawl and more congested roads. Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Oct. 2023 Climate change has been amplifying threats that species already face from such problems as deforestation and urban sprawl, pushing one million species worldwide to the brink of extinction. Sabrina Shankman, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Sep. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1934, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of urban sprawl was in 1934

Dictionary Entries Near urban sprawl

Cite this Entry

“Urban sprawl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urban%20sprawl. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

urban sprawl

noun
: the spreading of urban structures into areas surrounding a city

More from Merriam-Webster on urban sprawl

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