winterize

American  

[win-tuh-rahyz] / ˈwɪn təˌraɪz /

especially British, winterise

verb (used with object)

winterized, winterizing

1. to prepare (an automobile, house, etc.) for cold weather by (in automobiles) adding antifreeze and changing oil or (in houses) adding insulation, heating units, etc.

---

verb (used without object)

winterized, winterizing

1. to winterize an automobile, house, etc.

winterize British  

/ ˈwɪntəˌraɪz /

verb

1. (tr) to prepare (a house, car, etc) to withstand winter conditions

---

Other Word Forms

• winterization noun
• winterizer noun

Etymology

Origin of winterize

First recorded in 1925–30; winter + -ize

Example Sentences

After the 2021 disaster, Texas required power producers to winterize their plants better.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 23, 2026

Please watch @SeattleSPU video on how to winterize your pipes.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 15, 2024

Using cooling paint might work in the Southwest but it might not be effective in places where city officials winterize roads with salt.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 27, 2023

For the first time, Texas power plants will be required to winterize their facilities, he said.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2021

“You can’t be freezing and enjoy dinner,” said Payal Sharma, a co-owner who said the restaurant was spending $20,000 to winterize.

From New York Times • Nov. 9, 2020