privatize

[ prahy-vuh-tahyz ]

/ ˈpraɪ vəˌtaɪz /

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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.

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Also especially British, pri·va·tise .

Origin of privatize

First recorded in 1945–50; private + -ize

OTHER WORDS FROM privatize

pri·va·ti·za·tion, noun

Words nearby privatize

private viewdata, privation, privatism, privative, privatization issue, privatize, privet, privet hawk, privilege, privileged, privileged altar

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use privatize in a sentence

Prime minister Abiy Ahmed’s plans to privatize the telecommunications industry have been a stop-start process since he first announced in 2018 that he would be inviting in competitors.
The World Bank wants greater competition in Ethiopia’s telecom sector plans|Samuel Getachew|February 23, 2021|Quartz
You only have to look at what Florida, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, New Hampshire, Kansas and some other states are now doing to see that her agenda to privatize public education is alive and thriving.
Betsy DeVos is gone — but ‘DeVosism’ sure isn’t. Look at what Florida, New Hampshire and other states are doing.|Valerie Strauss|February 5, 2021|Washington Post
In 2013, she co-founded an advocacy group called the Network for Public Education, a coalition of organizations that oppose privatizing public education and high-stakes standardized testing.
What you need to know about standardized testing|Valerie Strauss|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Gore wanted to privatize more of those services, which could have meant job losses at the county.
What Republicans Say They’ll Do if They Keep Control of the Board of Supervisors|Jesse Marx|October 20, 2020|Voice of San Diego

From 2008 to 2017, the Gianforte Family Foundation donated a total of $19,000 to the Heritage Foundation, which supports privatizing public land and works to spread climate-change denial.
In Montana, Stream Access Is on the Ballot|Wes Siler|October 16, 2020|Outside Online
This runs in stark contrast to the temptation to privatize every resource and turn it into a profitable market.
12 Ways Catholicism is More Radical Than Pope Francis|Nathan Schneider|February 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Privatize” rabbinic courts: “denude” them of legal powers and government budgets.
A Divorce Made in Heaven: Don’t Reform Israel’s State Rabbinate. Shut It Down.|Gershom Gorenberg|December 3, 2013|DAILY BEAST
All you have to do is sign the Ryan budget into law and privatize Medicare.
Don’t Repeal Any Laws, Repeal John Boehner|Michael Tomasky|July 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Forget about the Second Amendment—the gun lobby, abetted by timorous Republicans, is trying to privatize law and order.
Pro-Gun Absolutism: The Gun Lobby’s Push to Privatize Law and Order|Will Marshall|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
George W. Bush claimed a mandate after 2004, and then promptly saw Democrats decimate his proposal to privatize Social Security.
Tea-Fueled Republican Resistance Compels Barack Obama To Keep Running|Robert Shrum|March 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST

British Dictionary definitions for privatize

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 forms of privatize

privatization 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