Vietnamization

[ vee-et-nuh-muh-zey-shuhn, vyet-, vee-it- ]

noun

1. a U.S. policy during the Vietnam War of giving the South Vietnamese government responsibility for carrying on the war, so as to allow for the withdrawal of American troops.

Vietnamization

/ ˌvjɛtnəmaɪˈzeɪʃən /

noun

1. (in the Vietnam War) a US government policy of transferring the tasks of fighting and directing the war to the government and forces of South Vietnam

Word History and Origins

Origin of Vietnamization¹

First recorded in 1965–70; Vietnam + -ization