Synonyms

nationalize

American

[nash-uh-nl-ahyz, nash-nuh-lahyz] / ˈnæʃ ə nlˌaɪz, ˈnæʃ nəˌlaɪz /

especially British, nationalise

verb (used with object)

to bring under the ownership or control of a nation, as industries and land.

a movement to nationalize the oil industry.
to make into a nation.
to naturalize.
to make national in extent or scope.

a magazine article that nationalized a local problem.

verb (used without object)

to become nationalized or naturalized.

Those who remain in the country must nationalize.

nationalize British

/ ˈnæʃnə-, ˈnæʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

to put (an industry, resources, etc) under state control or ownership
to make national in scope, character, or status
a less common word for naturalize

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of nationalize

First recorded in 1790–1800; national + -ize

Explanation

To nationalize something is to make it public, or government-run, rather than private. Many countries, including the U.K. and Germany, have acted to nationalize railroads during periods when they faced bankruptcy. In the United States, a relatively recent decision to nationalize an industry occurred after the attacks on September 11, 2001. Before that, security at airports was run by private companies. Afterward, the Transportation Security Administration was founded as a federal agency, nationalizing the security in all airports throughout the country. The original definition of nationalize is "invest with a national character," the way you'd nationalize your house by hanging an American flag on the porch.

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