To homogenize means to make things uniform by mixing them thoroughly so they become the same throughout. When you homogenize milk, you break up the fat particles and distribute them evenly so the cream doesn't separate and float to the top. Before homogenization became standard, milk bottles had a layer of cream at the top that you could pour off.

The process involves forcing liquid through tiny holes under high pressure, breaking larger particles into smaller ones that stay suspended evenly. Nearly all the milk sold in stores today is homogenized, which is why it looks and tastes consistent from top to bottom.

The word can also describe making different things more alike in a broader sense. When people worry about cities becoming homogenized, they mean that unique local shops and restaurants are disappearing, replaced by the same chain stores you'd find anywhere. A teacher might try to homogenize the skill level in a class by grouping students differently, though this risks losing the benefits of diversity.

Homogeneous (the adjective form) describes something uniform throughout, like a homogeneous mixture in science class where you can't distinguish separate ingredients anymore.