privatize

verb

pri·​vat·​ize ˈprī-və-ˌtīz How to pronounce privatize (audio)
privatized; privatizing; privatizes

transitive verb

: to make private
especially : to change from public to private control or ownership
privatize an industry
The mayor's threat to privatize trash collection shook things up. Jeff Bailey
privatization noun

Examples of privatize in a Sentence

The city decided to privatize the municipal power company. a proposal to privatize the health-care system
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Related Articles Once privatized, Nordstrom isn’t expected to diverge much from its current priorities involving aggressive expansion of the Rack off-price chain, digital growth and comp gains at the Nordstrom upscale department store business. David Moin, WWD, 24 Dec. 2024 The system has not been profitable for several years, and privatizing mail delivery would help Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency fulfill its promise of cutting spending. Ross O'Keefe, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 17 Dec. 2024 Nathaniel Most, the company's vice president of sales, says it was designed for what the industry calls full takeovers, in this case, privatizing all the facilities, including the restaurant, bar and spa, for one customer and their guests. Doug Gollan, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Experts have said this could privatize the program and prevent people from receiving care from doctors and hospitals that don't accept Medicare Advantage. Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 19 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for privatize 

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of privatize was in 1948

Dictionary Entries Near privatize

Cite this Entry

“Privatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privatize. Accessed 23 Jan. 2025.

Legal Definition

privatize

transitive verb
pri·​va·​tize ˈprī-və-ˌtīz How to pronounce privatize (audio)
privatized; privatizing
: to make private
especially : to change (as a business or industry) from public to private control or ownership
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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