dieselize

especially British, die·sel·ise

[dee-zuh-lahyz, -suh-]

verb (used with object)

dieselized, dieselizing 

1. to equip with diesel machinery.

verb (used without object)

dieselized, dieselizing 

1. to become equipped with diesel machinery or vehicles, as a railroad.

Other Word Forms

• dieselization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dieselize¹

First recorded in 1945–50; diesel + -ize

Example Sentences

Though it was one of the last major U.S. railroads to dieselize, it was finally retiring steam locomotives at a fast clip and stepping up its purchase of diesel-electric equipment.

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