Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

nationalize

American  
[nash-uh-nl-ahyz, nash-nuh-lahyz] / ˈnæʃ ə nlˌaɪz, ˈnæʃ nəˌlaɪz /
especially British, nationalise

verb (used with object)

nationalized, nationalizing
  1. to bring under the ownership or control of a nation, as industries and land.

    a movement to nationalize the oil industry.

  2. to make into a nation.

  3. to naturalize.

  4. to make national in extent or scope.

    a magazine article that nationalized a local problem.


verb (used without object)

nationalized, nationalizing
  1. to become nationalized or naturalized.

    Those who remain in the country must nationalize.

nationalize British  
/ ˈnæʃnə-, ˈnæʃənəˌlaɪz /

verb

  1. to put (an industry, resources, etc) under state control or ownership

  2. to make national in scope, character, or status

  3. a less common word for naturalize

"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

Other Word Forms

  • antinationalization adjective
  • nationalization noun
  • nationalizer noun
  • nonnationalization noun
  • overnationalization noun
  • overnationalize verb (used with object)
  • renationalization noun
  • renationalize verb
  • seminationalized adjective
  • unnationalized adjective

Etymology

Origin of nationalize

First recorded in 1790–1800; national + -ize

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.

Years later, Chávez nationalized dozens of oil companies, including some U.S. firms.

From Los Angeles Times

It backtracked on creating a nationalized database, removed the requirements of principal address and physical SSN card, and updated the law to include mobile driver’s licenses that can be displayed digitally on cell phones.

From Salon

The new measures go on top of a comprehensive set of U.S. sanctions on Cuba that began in the early 1960s when the Fidel Castro-led government nationalized U.S. property.

From The Wall Street Journal

“It really depends on what nationalizing elections entails.”

From Salon

Last week, lawmakers passed reforms to reopen Venezuela's nationalized hydrocarbons industry to private players, a move immediately reciprocated with a loosening of US sanctions.

From Barron's