English

modernisation

gb/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən/ us/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən/
B2 English
Senses
0 senses
Noun B2 process
1

making something more modern

the process of making something modern and up to date

Usage pattern: modernisation of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse British spelling modernisation with US spelling modernization.
Synonyms
modernization (US spelling; same meaning.) | upgrading (Often focuses on improving equipment or systems.) | update (Usually smaller or more specific changes.)
Antonyms
deterioration (Change to a worse condition rather than improvement.) | obsolescence (The state of becoming outdated, not the act of updating.)
Collocations
modernisation of the economy |modernisation of public services |modernisation of the rail network |modernisation programme |modernisation plan |modernisation project |modernisation process |digital modernisation |military modernisation |infrastructure modernisation
Themes
technology |business |government |infrastructure
Examples
  • The modernisation of the airport will add new security scanners and more gates.
  • The company began a major modernisation of its factories to reduce energy use.
  • Modernisation has made it easier to access services online.
Learner examples
  • The modernisation of the school will take one year.
  • They want modernisation of the old system.
Noun C1 event
2

a project to update something

a planned project to make something modern

Usage pattern: a modernisation of [something]
Common mistake:
Do not use *modernisation* to mean a single new product; it usually refers to a broader set of improvements.
Synonyms
revamp (More informal; often suggests a noticeable redesign.) | reform (Usually about rules or institutions rather than technology alone.) | overhaul (Emphasises thorough and wide-ranging change.)
Antonyms
preservation (Keeping things as they are rather than changing them.) | rollback (Reversing recent changes instead of modernising.)
Collocations
a modernisation effort |a modernisation initiative |a modernisation scheme |a modernisation project |launch a modernisation programme |fund a modernisation plan |support modernisation |accelerate modernisation |deliver modernisation |lead a modernisation drive
Themes
business |government |technology |project_management
Examples
  • The minister announced a modernisation of the benefits system.
  • The bank’s modernisation included closing some branches and expanding its app.
  • After the merger, the team proposed a modernisation of the company’s reporting tools.
Learner examples
  • The government started a modernisation of the hospitals.
  • Our modernisation improved the website.
Noun formal C1 process
3

society becoming more modern

the process of a society becoming more modern and developed

Usage pattern: modernisation of [a country/society]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse modernisation with modernism (an art/literature movement).
Synonyms
development (Broader; can include modernisation but is not limited to becoming 'modern'.) | industrialisation (Narrower; focuses mainly on growth of industry.)
Antonyms
traditionalism (Preference for keeping traditional ways rather than adopting modern ones.) | deindustrialisation (Movement away from industry, often the opposite direction of modernisation.)
Collocations
rapid modernisation |economic modernisation |social modernisation |political modernisation |state-led modernisation |modernisation theory |a path to modernisation |modernisation policies |modernisation reforms |modernisation efforts
Themes
society |history |economics |politics
Examples
  • Railways and new schools were central to the country’s modernisation in the 20th century.
  • Some critics argue that modernisation can increase inequality in the short term.
  • The book examines how modernisation changed family life in rural areas.
Learner examples
  • Modernisation changed the city very quickly.
  • The country wants modernisation of its economy.
Grammar
Dictionary form
modernisation
IPA
GB/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən/
US/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
mod - ern - isa - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mod)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: modernisation
  • Plural: modernisation, modernisations
Word family
Forms
modernisations noun
Core family
modern adjective A2 modernise verb B2
Related words
modernize verb B2 modernization noun B2
Advanced or less common
modernity noun C1 modernist noun modernism noun C1
Expressions

it modernisation

1
/ˈɪt mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase business

updating computer systems

updating a company’s computer systems

Examples
  • IT modernisation is needed to improve security and reliability.
  • They budgeted for IT modernisation over the next three years.
  • The audit found that IT modernisation was overdue.

modernisation drive

1
/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən dɹˈaɪv/
fixed phrase

strong push to modernise

a strong effort to make things modern

Examples
  • The CEO announced a modernisation drive to automate routine tasks.
  • A modernisation drive is underway across the armed forces.
  • The modernisation drive faced criticism over job losses.

modernisation plan

1
/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən plˈæn/
fixed phrase

plan for updating a system

a plan to make something modern

Examples
  • They published a modernisation plan for the city’s bus network.
  • The modernisation plan includes new software and staff training.
  • Without a clear modernisation plan, the project kept slipping behind schedule.

modernisation programme

1
/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase

official plan to modernise

an official plan with many steps to make something modern

Examples
  • The health service launched a modernisation programme focused on digital records.
  • Staff were consulted as part of the modernisation programme.
  • Funding for the modernisation programme was approved by Parliament.

modernisation project

1
/mˈoʊdɚnɪsˈeɪʃən pɹˈɑd͡ʒɛkt/
fixed phrase

individual upgrade project

one project that makes something modern

Examples
  • The modernisation project replaced the old heating system with a more efficient one.
  • Delays to the modernisation project caused weeks of disruption.
  • They hired new contractors to complete the modernisation project.

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