'metropolitanize' originates from the word 'metropolis,' which comes from Greek, specifically the word 'mētēr' meaning 'mother' and 'polis' meaning 'city.'

'metropolis' transformed from the Greek word 'mētropolis' and eventually became the modern English word 'metropolis,' leading to the formation of 'metropolitanize.'

Initially, it meant 'to make something like a mother city,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to make something characteristic of a metropolis.'