Synonyms

public ownership

British

noun

ownership by the state; nationalization

"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

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.

But some have criticised the plans, arguing that public ownership will not make much difference unless it comes with more investment.

From BBC • Feb. 1, 2026

Great British Railways is a public body which is in the process of being set up, and is part of the government's plans to bring parts of the railway system into public ownership.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2025

But ministers do not see public ownership as a long-term solution and have repeatedly said they are confident they will find another commercial partner to take on the ownership of British Steel.

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2025

Delays and design challenges continued under public ownership with the cost of the two ships now about £460m if written-off government loans and money paid out prior to nationalisation are included.

From BBC • Jul. 4, 2025

“Say, boy, what do you think of public ownership? Do you think the government ought to build houses for people to live in?”

From "Native Son" by Richard Wright

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023