commercialize

verb

com·​mer·​cial·​ize kə-ˈmər-shə-ˌlīz 

commercialized; commercializing

transitive verb

1

a

: to manage on a business basis for profit

b

: to develop commerce in

2

: to exploit for profit

commercialize Christmas

3

: to debase in quality for more profit

commercialization

kə-ˌmər-sh(ə-)lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of commercialize in a Sentence

The company hopes to commercialize the drug next year.

Recent Examples on the Web

County officials have promised that there would be a one-mile buffer on either side of the road to prevent it from being heavily commercialized. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 26 Mar. 2025

Greater Cannabis Company continues to focus on developing and commercializing cannabinoid therapeutics. —Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 25 Mar. 2025

While the celebration has become commercialized, its roots in counterculture and activism remain relevant. —Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 25 Mar. 2025

The team has applied for a patent for their device and is working with a national washing machine manufacturer to commercialize it. —Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 20 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1830, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for commercialize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize
• democratize

Kids Definition

commercialize

verb

com·​mer·​cial·​ize kə-ˈmər-shə-ˌlīz 

commercialized; commercializing

1

: to manage for the sake of making a profit

2

: to use for profit

commercialize Christmas

commercialization

-ˌmər-shə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun