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.

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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

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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

Explanation

To nationalize something is to make it public, or government-run, rather than private. Many countries, including the U.K. and Germany, have acted to nationalize railroads during periods when they faced bankruptcy. In the United States, a relatively recent decision to nationalize an industry occurred after the attacks on September 11, 2001. Before that, security at airports was run by private companies. Afterward, the Transportation Security Administration was founded as a federal agency, nationalizing the security in all airports throughout the country. The original definition of nationalize is "invest with a national character," the way you'd nationalize your house by hanging an American flag on the porch.

Example Sentences

To meet that need, Congress enacted the SSI program in 1972 to nationalize the state welfare programs for adults 65 and older and those with disabilities.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 10, 2026

By the time Grupo Lamar was seized, there were few businesses left to nationalize.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The NFL funds boosted the council’s revenue by 450% year over year, giving the group the firepower to nationalize problem gambling efforts.

From Barron's • Oct. 31, 2025

But the temptation to nationalize the outcome here is a misleading one.

From Slate • Feb. 14, 2024

To this school succeeded the reaction of Malherbe and his fellows, who sought to drive from the French tongue all the exotic graces that their predecessors had tried to nationalize on Parnassus.

From Bohemians of the Latin Quarter by Murger, Henry