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subsidize

American  
[suhb-si-dahyz] / ˈsʌb sɪˌdaɪz /
especially British, subsidise

verb (used with object)

subsidized, subsidizing
  1. to furnish or aid with a subsidy.

  2. to purchase the assistance of by the payment of a subsidy.

  3. to secure the cooperation of by bribery; buy over.


subsidize British  
/ ˈsʌbsɪˌdaɪz /

verb

  1. to aid or support with a subsidy

  2. to obtain the aid of by means of a subsidy

"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

Usage

What does subsidize mean? To subsidize is to grant a subsidy—a direct payment made by a government to a company or other organization as a form of assistance.The process of subsidizing is subsidization. Governments often subsidize particular industries, such as through granting farm subsidies. The word subsidy is most commonly used to refer to such payments.More generally, subsidy can refer to any grant or monetary contribution. More specifically, it can refer to a payment made by one government to another for a particular service, often according to a treaty.Less commonly, the word subsidize can mean to gain someone’s cooperation through bribery.Subsidize is sometimes spelled subsidise (especially in British English).Example: The government is subsidizing my company to help expedite the manufacturing of healthcare products.

Other Word Forms

  • desubsidization noun
  • desubsidize verb (used with object)
  • nonsubsidized adjective
  • subsidizable adjective
  • subsidization noun
  • subsidizer noun
  • unsubsidized adjective

Etymology

Origin of subsidize

First recorded in 1785–95; subsid(y) + -ize

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.

Student fees and university funds subsidize intercollegiate sports; those two sources comprised 87% of Sacramento State’s 2024 athletic budget, according to Knight Center data.

From Los Angeles Times

Employers of these tipped workers can use customers to subsidize $5.12 of the business’ hourly wage obligation.

From Los Angeles Times

The agreement ensures Oracle’s revenue will cover data center power costs, preventing existing DTE customers from subsidizing rates.

From Barron's

The agreement ensures Oracle’s revenue will cover data center power costs, preventing existing DTE customers from subsidizing rates.

From Barron's

If savers don’t deposit any money in domestic banks, then the banks will have no money to lend, and borrowers will not get the subsidized bank loans Mr. Studwell favors.

From The Wall Street Journal