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.
The next political fight will be about how much to privatize schools. Jens Ludwig and Randall Stephenson, Twin Cities, 26 Dec. 2024 Chief Critics: Democrats have already started opposing any efforts to privatize USPS. Alison Durkee, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024 Hopes of Fannie and Freddie privatization Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s stocks both surged after Trump’s electoral victory, indicating that investors believe Trump will renew his efforts to privatize the companies. Samantha Delouya, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024 Furthermore, federal loans in which the risks are socialized and the gains privatized are generally considered a last resort, something to be used surgically in the case of promising new technologies where traditional market forces would crush an burgeoning industry in its infancy. Chris Morris, Fortune, 29 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 18 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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