subsidize

especially British, sub·si·dise

[suhb-si-dahyz]

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

/ ˈsʌbsɪˌdaɪz /

verb

1. to aid or support with a subsidy

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of subsidize¹

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

Example Sentences

It will be converted into subsidized housing for students after the Games with their own greenhouses and vegetable patches.

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Prichard, a Democrat, said most of her healthcare costs are subsidized by the government.

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The IMF chief said China should spend more on cleaning up its property sector and providing a backstop for households, and “much less” on subsidizing its factories.

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Get government-sponsored enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to subsidize them.

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In an interview, Mr. Husock told me that one of the biggest problems with public and subsidized housing is how long people remain in the units.

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Related Words

• bankroll 
• contribute 
• finance 
• fund 
• promote 
• sponsor 
• underwrite 

When To Use

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.