liberalization

American  

[lib-er-uh-lahy-zey-shuhn, lib-ruh-] / ˌlɪb ər əˌlaɪˈzeɪ ʃən, ˌlɪb rə- /

especially British, liberalisation

noun

1. the state of being or becoming more favorable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs.

   The liberalization of Anglican thought predates the rise of Protestant fundamentalism.

2. the act or process of making something, such as laws or regulations, less restrictive, or the state of being or becoming less restrictive.

   The president has proposed liberalization of the criminal code to allow for a reduction in maximum sentences and the introduction of monetary fines for less severe offenses.

   The government is updating existing contracts with some foreign companies to favor liberalization and free market competition.

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Other Word Forms

• overliberalization noun

Etymology

Origin of liberalization

liberaliz(e) ( def. ) + -ation ( def. )

Explanation

Liberalization refers to laws or rules being liberalized, or relaxed, by a government. You might talk about the liberalization of marriage laws in states that allow same-sex marriage. Liberalization came to the English language in 1835, from the word liberal. Literally translated, it means the act of making more liberal, or freer. While liberal is used to refer to more than just politics––you can have liberal parents––liberalization is used only when speaking of economic or social policies or other government regulations.

Example Sentences

Also, management expects contracted and policy-based electricity volumes to account for around 70% of total power sales, helping stabilize earnings amid ongoing power market liberalization.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

Trade liberalization is wreaking havoc with industry, even as agricultural exports drove 4.4% gross domestic product growth last year.

From Barron's • Feb. 26, 2026

A period of liberalization in the 1990s opened the door for American companies to expand their Venezuela operations.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 8, 2026

One classic argument for agricultural trade liberalization is to let countries exploit their comparative advantages and grow what they grow best.

From Science Magazine • Nov. 26, 2024

Broader privatization, further liberalization of   the investment code to increase foreign investment, improvements in   government efficiency, and reduction of the trade deficit are among   the challenges ahead.

From The 2006 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency