privatize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to transfer from public or government control or ownership to private enterprise.
a campaign promise to privatize some of the public lands.
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to make exclusive; delimit or appropriate.
special-interest groups attempting to privatize social issues.
verb
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of privatize
Explanation
To privatize is to switch ownership or control from public, or government-run, to private. The US has a history of deciding to privatize previously government-controlled railroads. If profit making companies took over every school in the country, turning all public schools into private ones, it would privatize education. Most countries have a variety of public and private industries — in the US, the post office, many schools, public universities, and the police, among other services, are in the public sector. If this changed, they would privatize.
Vocabulary lists containing privatize
Russia - Introductory
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Russia - Middle School and High School
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A Constitution for the United States, Lessons 1–2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In particular, one happened when the government was about to privatize the pension system, because the Japanese population is aging and the ratio between the workers and retired people is worsening.
From Salon • Jun. 14, 2025
Disneyland’s plan to reimagine the theme park into a more “immersive” experience may require up to $2.5 billion and a plan to privatize some Anaheim streets.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 13, 2024
In October, prosecutors publicly put Berisha under investigation for allegedly abusing his post to help his son-in-law, Jamarber Malltezi, privatize public land to build 17 apartment buildings.
From Washington Times • Dec. 30, 2023
Equities were less measured, with U.S.-listed shares of Argentinian energy company YPF rallying more than 40% after Milei said he would look to privatize it.
From Reuters • Nov. 20, 2023
Alice Manfred had worked hard to privatize her niece, but she was no match for a City seeping music that begged and challenged each and every day.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
