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.

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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

privateersman, 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. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for privatize

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