anonymize

[ uh-non-uh-mahyz ]

verb (used with object),a·non·y·mized, a·non·y·miz·ing.
  1. to block or eliminate identifying information from (test results, data, authorship, etc.), especially for purposes of statistical analysis, product appraisal, or personal privacy; to make anonymous: anonymizing cancer patients’ medical histories for our research files; software that helps you anonymize your online activity.

Origin of anonymize

1
First recorded in 1855–60 for an earlier sense; the current sense was first recorded in 1970–75; anonym(ous) + -ize
  • Also especially British, a·non·y·mise .

Other words from anonymize

  • a·non·y·mi·za·tion, noun
  • a·non·y·miz·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for anonymize

anonymize

anonymise

/ (əˈnɒnɪˌmaɪz) /


verb
  1. (tr) to carry out or organize in such a way as to preserve anonymity: anonymized AIDS screening

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