normalize

American  

[nawr-muh-lahyz] / ˈnɔr məˌlaɪz /

especially British, normalise

verb (used with object)

normalizes, present (3rd person singular) normalized, past participle, past normalizing present participle

1. to make normal.

   Traditional Chinese medicine uses ginseng to normalize blood pressure.

2. to cause (something previously considered abnormal or unacceptable) to be treated as normal.

   I have to resist the impulse to normalize her eccentricities.

3. to establish or resume (relations) in a normal manner, as between countries.

4. Statistics. to mathematically transform or adjust (the values in a data set) so that they fit a standard measure or scale, such as by making all the values fall between 0 and 1.

   Data was normalized before analysis.

5. Metallurgy. to heat (a steel alloy) to a suitable temperature above the transformation range and then cool it in still air at ambient temperature.

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verb (used without object)

normalizes, present (3rd person singular) normalized, past participle, past normalizing present participle

1. to become normal; resume a normal state.

   Prices soon normalized after the war.

normalize British  

/ ˈnɔːməˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to bring or make into the normal state

2. to bring into conformity with a standard

3. to heat (steel) above a critical temperature and allow it to cool in air to relieve internal stresses; anneal

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• overnormalization
  noun
• overnormalize
  verb (used with object)
• normalization
  noun
• renormalize
  verb (used with object)
• renormalization
  noun
• denormalization
  noun
• unnormalized
  adjective
• unnormalizing
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have normalized
  perfect
• has normalized
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am normalizing
  progressive 1st person singular
• is normalizing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• normalizing
  participle
• has been normalizing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• normalizes
  singular 3rd person
• have been normalizing
  perfect progressive
• are normalizing
  progressive

Past

• had normalized
  perfect
• normalized
  participle
• had been normalizing
  perfect progressive
• were normalizing
  progressive plural
• was normalizing
  progressive singular
• normalized
  simple

Future

• will normalize
  simple
• will have normalized
  perfect
• will be normalizing
  progressive
• will have been normalizing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of normalize

First recorded in 1860–65; normal + -ize

Explanation

If it's out of whack, totally crazy and absolutely bizarre, it should probably be normalized, or put back into a normal state. Something that's been normalized has been put back to normal, whether you're talking about the weather pattern or your sleep habits. Someone who likes to keep things in order is probably a fan of the word normalize. Stock brokers, for example, hate it when the stock market takes them on a wild, unpredictable ride; they'd much rather have things normalize and settle down.

Example Sentences

Hong Kong’s benchmark interest rate is likely to normalize from extreme lows recorded last year in 2Q-3Q, they add.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

“A cease-fire may reopen shipping lanes, it does not immediately replenish inventories, restore damaged infrastructure or normalize trade flows.”

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

Shipping, insurance and freight costs are likely to normalize more slowly than crude prices.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2026

It simply makes intrusion easier to normalize because machines rather than officers perform the searching.

From Slate • May 20, 2026

“I must point out that the move I have taken provides you with the opportunity to overcome the current deadlock, and to normalize the country’s political situation. I hope you will seize it without delay.”

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• assign
• conduct
• distribute
• establish
• file
• place
• plan