civilianize

[ si-vil-yuh-nahyz ]

/ sɪˈvɪl yəˌnaɪz /

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verb (used with object), ci·vil·ian·ized, ci·vil·ian·iz·ing.

to assign to civilians or place under civilian direction or control: a decision to civilianize the teaching of history at the naval academy.

to make less military in form or character: He charged that the union movement is civilianizing the army.

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Also especially British, ci·vil·ian·ise .

Origin of civilianize

First recorded in 1865–70; civilian + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM civilianize

ci·vil·ian·i·za·tion, noun

Words nearby civilianize

civil engineer, civil engineering, civilian, civilian clothes, Civilian Conservation Corps, civilianize, civilian review board, civility, civilization, civilize, civilized

British Dictionary definitions for civilianize

civilianize

civilianise

/ (sɪˈvɪljəˌnaɪz) /

verb

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

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