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 • May 14, 2024

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

From Washington Post • Mar. 24, 2023

“We should back up our efforts to push this territorial claim with economic development and civilianize the island,” Philippine lawmaker Walden Bello told reporters during his visit to Pagasa island in the South China Sea.

From BusinessWeek • Jul. 21, 2011

“We should back up our efforts to push this territorial claim with economic development and civilianize the island,” Philippine lawmaker Walden Bello told reporters during his visit to Pag-Asa island in the South China Sea.

From BusinessWeek • Jul. 21, 2011

Lord Hailsham, quieter in London than he was in Port Said, said: "We will civilianize the whole fleet if necessary."

From Time Magazine Archive