Americanize v
1. make American in character; "The year in the US has completely Americanized him" [syn: Americanise]
2. become American in character; "After a year in Iowa, he has totally Americanized" [syn: Americanise]

Americanize \A*mer"i*can*ize\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Americanizer; p. pr. & vb. n. Americanizing.] To render American; to assimilate to the Americans in customs, ideas, etc.; to stamp with American characteristics.

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Americanization is the influence of the United States on the popular culture, technology, business practices, political techniques or language, of other countries. The term has been used since 1907. Inside the U.S. the term most often refers to the process of acculturation by immigrants to American customs.

Critics sometimes give "Americanization" a negative connotation because they perceive as negative the far-reaching American influence in many countries, and may fear the loss of local customs and traditions.

Hollywood (that is, the American film and television industry), dominates most of the world's media markets (India is an exception with Bollywood). It is the chief medium by which people across the globe see American fashions, customs, scenery and way of life.

U.S. based TV shows are re-broadcast around the world. Many of them through American broadcasters and their subsidiaries (such as HBO Asia, CNBC Europe and CNN International). Many of these distributors broadcast mainly American programming on their TV channels. According to a recent survey by Radio Times, The Simpsons, Lost and Desperate Housewives are among the most watched TV shows, with CSI being the most watched show among the surveyed 20 countries.

• Hoffman sports leader up to bat with Italian team - Arlington Heights Daily Herald
  Also, the financial backers aim to Americanize the team with new marketing plans. “They operated like a club before, not a business,” he said. A group of investors, including some of Caliendo's friends and colleagues, approached him last ... Read more on this news related to 'Americanize'
• Postcard from Europe: Berhalter's American revolution - mlssoccer.com
  But a turnaround took more than just players. Perhaps what made it easiest to Americanize the club was that Hammarby's recent system clearly wasn't working. "What I heard from the other players is that the last three years have been very ... Read more on this news related to 'Americanize'
• English and Spanish: Puerto Ricans may soon be taught both - NJ.com
  "The learning of English was associated with a very real thrust by the U.S. government to Americanize Puerto Rico," said Carlos Chardon, an anthropologist and former education secretary. "A great majority of persons associated English with statehood." Read more on this news related to 'Americanize'