democratize
Americanverb (used with or without object)
verb
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
undemocratizationnoun
-
de-democratizationnoun
-
democratizernoun
-
redemocratizeverb
-
redemocratizationnoun
-
undemocratizeverb (used with object)
-
democratizationnoun
-
de-democratizeverb
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
have democratizedperfect
-
has democratizedperfect 3rd person singular
-
is democratizingprogressive 3rd person singular
-
am democratizingprogressive 1st person singular
-
democratizingparticiple
-
democratizessingular 3rd person
-
has been democratizingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
-
have been democratizingperfect progressive
-
are democratizingprogressive
Past
-
had democratizedperfect
-
had been democratizingperfect progressive
-
was democratizingprogressive singular
-
were democratizingprogressive plural
-
democratizedsimple
-
democratizedparticiple
Future
Etymology
Origin of democratize
1790–1800; < French démocratiser, equivalent to démocrate democrat + -iser -ize
Explanation
To democratize is to make an organization more democratic, supporting a system in which all citizens have a voice or a vote. When you democratize your school French club, you allow every member to vote on each decision. You'll most often see the verb democratize in the context of world politics, when countries that have historically not been democracies change their governments to be more democratic. In many cases, other countries, such as the U.S., try to influence such governments to make this change: they democratize them, in other words. The word democratize comes from the Greek root demokratia, "popular government," from demos, "common people," and kratos, "rule."
Vocabulary lists containing democratize
We the People: Dem
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
-cracy, -crat
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Comparative Political Systems
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Tech companies promising to "democratize" football are launching apps that allow young players to upload videos recorded on their phone of them showcasing their ball skills.
From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026
That is why MarketWatch exists, to democratize financial news, and why The Moneyist column exists too.
From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026
He pitched it as a way to democratize access to a successful hedge-fund strategy for ordinary investors.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 10, 2026
In 2010 one civil rights lawyer confidently proclaimed that our cameras would democratize evidence and bring about “real justice.”
From Slate • Jan. 15, 2026
In their religious policy the tyrants went far to democratize Greek religion.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 4 "Grasshopper" to "Greek Language" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
