privatize

[prahy-vuh-tahyz]

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.

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. 2018

Examples from the Web for privatization

Contemporary Examples

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
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
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
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
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

British Dictionary definitions for privatization

privatize

privatise

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

privatize

Origin of privatize

Examples from the Web for privatization

Contemporary Examples

They want to take control of New York City schools away from Mayor Bill de Blasio and let privatization run rampant.

And who knows, maybe one of these Republicans, confronted with evidence of their privatization enthusiasm, will commit one.

The Bush privatization failure was devastating not only to his standing as president but as head of his own party.

An accelerated process of ‘privatization’ of family life is currently taking place.

Ravitch, author of the new book Reign of Error, talks to Lauren Streib about how reform has become a cover for privatization.

privatize

privatise

Word Origin and History for privatization

n.

privatize

v.

privatize

Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}privatize

Examples from the Web for privatization

Contemporary Examples

They want to take control of New York City schools away from Mayor Bill de Blasio and let privatization run rampant.

And who knows, maybe one of these Republicans, confronted with evidence of their privatization enthusiasm, will commit one.

The Bush privatization failure was devastating not only to his standing as president but as head of his own party.

An accelerated process of ‘privatization’ of family life is currently taking place.

Ravitch, author of the new book Reign of Error, talks to Lauren Streib about how reform has become a cover for privatization.

privatize

privatise

Word Origin and History for privatization

n.

privatize

v.

Origin of privatize