subsidize

American  

[suhb-si-dahyz] / ˈsʌb sɪˌdaɪz /

especially British, subsidise

verb (used with object)

subsidizes, present (3rd person singular) subsidized, past participle, past subsidizing present participle

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.

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subsidize British  

/ ˈsʌbsɪˌdaɪz /

verb

1. to aid or support with a subsidy

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

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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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• subsidizing
  present
• subsidized
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• subsidize
  simple
• subsidizes
  simple
• have subsidized
  perfect
• has subsidized
  perfect
• am subsidizing
  progressive
• are subsidizing
  progressive
• is subsidizing
  progressive
• have been subsidizing
  perfect progressive
• has been subsidizing
  perfect progressive

Past

• subsidized
  simple
• had subsidized
  perfect
• was subsidizing
  progressive
• were subsidizing
  progressive
• had been subsidizing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will subsidize
  simple
• will have subsidized
  perfect
• will be subsidizing
  progressive
• will have been subsidizing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of subsidize

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

Explanation

To subsidize something is to support it by providing it with money or other resources. Don't expect your parents to subsidize your addiction to solid-gold puppy figurines. We can break down the word subsidize to help us remember its meaning. The prefix sub- means "under, below" and sedēre means "to sit." (A submarine is a ship that goes under the sea.) So to subsidize is to underwrite something financially, providing the support that keeps it going. For example, our taxes are used by the government to subsidize many educational and social programs.

Example Sentences

“Taxpayers are no longer willing to subsidize to the tune of thousands of crores, your stale cutlets and evening swims,” author Anand Ranganathan wrote on X in May.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 10, 2026

Researchers have said it doesn’t subsidize housing deeply enough to reach truly low-income renters, so it produces housing in markets and at income levels that already have a surplus instead of filling a shortage.

From Salon • Jul. 4, 2026

By selling its infrastructure, Meta can establish a steady revenue stream to subsidize this effort, buying the company time to catch up to its competitors.

From Barron's • Jul. 1, 2026

LA28 Olympic leaders and the city of Los Angeles are still wrangling over terms so tax dollars won’t subsidize the Games.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 27, 2026

The industry of Angolans doesn’t subsidize foreigners, or any castles with moats, and their children are likely to get vaccinations and learn to read.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

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