civilianize

American  

[si-vil-yuh-nahyz] / sɪˈvɪl yəˌnaɪz /

especially British, civilianise

verb (used with object)

civilianized, civilianizing

1. to assign to civilians or place under civilian direction or control.

   a decision to civilianize the teaching of history at the naval academy.

2. to make less military in form or character.

   He charged that the union movement is civilianizing the army.

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civilianize British  

/ sɪˈvɪljəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to change the status of (an armed force, a base, etc) from military to nonmilitary

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Other Word Forms

• civilianization noun

Etymology

Origin of civilianize

First recorded in 1865–70; civilian + -ize

Example Sentences

“We will sail with determination, not provocation, to civilianize the region and safeguard our territorial integrity.”

From Seattle Times

One good idea is to civilianize many tasks currently performed by police.

From Washington Post

Civilianize traffic enforcement, and you’d have someone recognizing what’s important versus just turning in a load of tickets.

From New York Times

“If they’re going to civilianize the NSA director’s position, he would be my number-one choice,” said Michael Hayden, who led the NSA from 1999 to 2005 as an Air Force general.

From Washington Post

The two-page proposal on the public health service’s cuts said HHS would “civilianize officers who do not provide critical public health services or support in public health emergencies.”

From Washington Post