standardize

American  

[stan-der-dahyz] / ˈstæn dərˌdaɪz /

especially British, standardise

verb (used with object)

standardized, standardizing

1. to bring to or make of an established standard size, weight, quality, strength, or the like.

   to standardize manufactured parts.

2. to compare with or test by a standard.

3. to choose or establish a standard for.

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verb (used without object)

standardized, standardizing

1. to become standardized.

standardize British  

/ ˈstændəˌdaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become standard

2. (tr) to test by or compare with a standard

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Other Word Forms

• nonstandardization
  noun
• nonstandardized
  adjective
• prestandardization
  noun
• prestandardize
  verb (used with object)
• quasi-standardized
  adjective
• restandardization
  noun
• restandardize
  verb (used with object)
• standardizable
  adjective
• standardization
  noun
• standardizer
  noun
• substandardization
  noun
• substandardize
  verb (used with object)
• unstandardizable
  adjective
• unstandardized
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of standardize

First recorded in 1870–75; standard + -ize

Explanation

To standardize something is to make it fit a certain guideline or requirement. If a school decides to standardize its grading system, it makes sure every teacher gives grades in exactly the same way. Use the verb standardize to describe what an organization or company does when it makes a product or rule conform to a certain model. Often, to standardize things is to make them all exactly the same. When a city standardizes all its playground equipment, every park begins to look alike, with the same slides, swings, and sandboxes.

Example Sentences

UnitedHealthcare is aiming to standardize pre-authorization requirements among its different lines of business, which include Medicare, Medicaid and employer plans.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

On its most recent earnings call, the company said it would invest several hundred million dollars to standardize its business on a global platform.

From Barron's • Jan. 16, 2026

With AI highlighting nuances between role titles and the actual skills necessary and tasks performed, companies can then begin to standardize roles to help support business operations and career trajectories.

From MarketWatch • Jan. 13, 2026

Finance executives argue that if they standardize buying shares of private companies, fees and fraud will fall and the liquidity of the market will increase.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 13, 2025

Agents were now expected to standardize the way they filed their case reports, on single sheets of paper.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann

Related Words

• institutionalize