financialization

American  

[fi-nan-shuh-luh-zey-shuhn, fahy‐] / fɪˈnæn ʃə ləˈzeɪ ʃən, faɪ‐ /

noun

1. an increase in the role of financial institutions, markets, and executives in a nation’s economy, and its subsequent dominance over the traditional economics of industry and agriculture.

   The forces of modern financialization have become irresistible.

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Other Word Forms

• financialize
  verb (used with or without object)

Etymology

Origin of financialization

First recorded in 1970–75; financial ( def. ) + -ization ( def. )

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

financialization

He accused the forces of financialization and social media for creating a world where “fame and infamy” were “indistinguishable.”

From Salon ● Aug. 29, 2026

Welcome to the world of financialization, in which profit is made through fees, stock buybacks, complex derivatives, and the like rather than through investment in production and services.

From Barron's ● Mar. 25, 2026

Already, they say, gold ETFs have shifted the landscape, by accelerating financialization of gold.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 27, 2025

This financialization of property led to a wave of speculation, evictions and displacements citywide as developers and landlords began to realize they could get more profit from their holdings.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 10, 2025

Berlin has been hit hard by financialization and speculation in the housing sector, campaign organizer Jenny Stupka explains.

From Slate ● May 10, 2021