privatize

[ prahy-vuh-tahyz ]

/ ˈpraɪ vəˌtaɪz /

verb (used with object), pri·va·tized, pri·va·tiz·ing.

to transfer from public or government control or ownership to private enterprise: a campaign promise to privatize some of the public lands.

to make exclusive; delimit or appropriate: special-interest groups attempting to privatize social issues.

Nearby words

Also especially British, pri·va·tise.

Origin of privatize

First recorded in 1945–50; private + -ize

Related formspri·va·ti·za·tion, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for privatization

They want to take control of New York City schools away from Mayor Bill de Blasio and let privatization run rampant.
Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools|Zephyr Teachout|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And who knows, maybe one of these Republicans, confronted with evidence of their privatization enthusiasm, will commit one.
Hooray for Liberal Fear-Mongering!|Michael Tomasky|October 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Bush privatization failure was devastating not only to his standing as president but as head of his own party.
The Obama Political Obituaries Are Way Premature|Michael Tomasky|December 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
An accelerated process of ‘privatization’ of family life is currently taking place.
Israeli Attorney Suggests Common-Law Marriage As an Act of Civil Disobedience|Irit Rosenblum|November 8, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Ravitch, author of the new book Reign of Error, talks to Lauren Streib about how reform has become a cover for privatization.
The Apostate: An Interview With Diane Ravitch|Lauren Streib|October 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for privatization

privatize

privatise

/ (ˈpraɪvɪˌtaɪz) /

verb

(tr) to transfer (the production of goods or services) from the public sector of an economy into private ownership and operation

Derived Formsprivatization or privatisation, noun

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

Word Origin and History for privatization