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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

• winterization noun
• winterizer noun

Etymology

Origin of winterize

First recorded in 1925–30; winter + -ize

Example Sentences

It wasn’t as cold for as long in Texas, and state regulators have required power generators and transmission infrastructure to better winterize.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 11, 2026

But natural gas producers were not ordered to winterize immediately, pending a review of which ones are involved in electricity production.

From New York Times • Dec. 23, 2021

A far-reaching bill sent Sunday night to Republican Gov. Greg Abbott would require some power generators to winterize against extreme cold following one of the most massive blackouts in U.S. history.

From Seattle Times • May 30, 2021

The issue was electricity providers failing to heed warnings to winterize their aging infrastructure, which buckled when the cold hit.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 18, 2021

The refu­gee agency appealed for nearly $100 million to winterize tents and sanitation systems while it warned of more deaths among refugees “if adequate measures are not taken.”

From Washington Post • Nov. 5, 2015