incentivize

[in-sen-ti-vahyz]

verb (used with object), in·cen·ti·vized, in·cen·ti·viz·ing.

to give incentives to: The government should incentivize the private sector to create jobs.

Also in·cent

[in-sent] /ɪnˈsɛnt/.

Origin of incentivize

An Americanism dating back to 1965–70

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for incent

incentivize

incentivise

verb

(tr)

to provide (someone) with a good reason for wanting to do somethingwhy not incentivize companies to relocate?
to promote (something) with a particular incentivean incentivized share option scheme

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

Word Origin and History for incent

by 1992, U.S. government-speak, back-formation from incentive. Related: Incented; incenting.

incentivize

by 1970, from incentive + -ize. Related: Incentivized; incentivizing.