privatize

American  

[prahy-vuh-tahyz] / ˈpraɪ vəˌtaɪz /

especially British, privatise

verb (used with object)

privatized, privatizing

1. to transfer from public or government control or ownership to private enterprise.

   a campaign promise to privatize some of the public lands.

2. to make exclusive; delimit or appropriate.

   special-interest groups attempting to privatize social issues.

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privatize British  

/ ˈpraɪvɪˌtaɪz /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• privatization noun

Etymology

Origin of privatize

First recorded in 1945–50; private + -ize

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.

Example Sentences

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

And those which can privatize such low-orbit destinations, demoting NASA’s role from that of public creator to private customer.

From Salon • Oct. 8, 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