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cannibalize

[ kan-uh-buh-lahyz ]
/ ˈkæn ə bəˌlaɪz /
|

verb (used with object), can·ni·bal·ized, can·ni·bal·iz·ing.

to subject to cannibalism.
to remove parts, equipment, assets, employees, etc., from (an item, product, or business) in order to use them in another: to cannibalize old airplanes for replacement parts.
to cut into; cause to become reduced; diminish: New products introduced in the next six months will cannibalize sales from established lines.

verb (used without object), can·ni·bal·ized, can·ni·bal·iz·ing.

to act cannibalistically; practice cannibalism.

Nearby words

  1. cannetille,
  2. cannibal,
  3. cannibalism,
  4. cannibalistic,
  5. cannibalization,
  6. cannikin,
  7. canning,
  8. canning basin,
  9. canning, george,
  10. canning, stratford
Also especially British, can·ni·bal·ise.

Origin of cannibalize

First recorded in 1940–45; cannibal + -ize
Related formscan·ni·bal·i·za·tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for cannibalization

British Dictionary definitions for cannibalization

cannibalize

cannibalise

/ (ˈkænɪbəˌlaɪz) /

verb

(tr) to use (serviceable parts from one machine or vehicle) to repair another, esp as an alternative to using new parts
Derived Formscannibalization or cannibalisation, noun
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