normalize

American  

[nawr-muh-lahyz] / ˈnɔr məˌlaɪz /

especially British, normalise

verb (used with object)

normalized, normalizing

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)

normalized, normalizing

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

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

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

That assumes oil and gas prices peak in March, then normalize gradually.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

Instead, she snapped up shares in companies including Microsoft, a bet that the economy will normalize and corporate earnings will reap the benefits.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

In fact, about one in four people participating in lifestyle programs were able to normalize their blood sugar without losing weight.

From Science Daily • Mar. 19, 2026

It would then take a few more months to normalize the supply chain.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 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