privatize

verb

pri·​vat·​ize ˈprī-və-ˌtīz 

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

ˌprī-və-tə-ˈzā-shən 

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

Such a change would effectively privatize the program, because people tend to stick with the plans they're initially enrolled in, health analysts say. —Stephanie Armour, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2024

Indeed, Musk—who has previously fixated on privatizing Mars, running Twitter into the ground, and making delicate EVs—has found a new toy to play with: America’s democracy. —Chloe Berger, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2024

And outdoors, the grounds, privatized by dense foliage, span just under a quarter-acre and host a kitchen and barbecue setup, a sunken lounging spot, and an infinity-edge pool and spa flanked by a sundeck. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 18 Sep. 2024

Project 2025 proposes privatizing the air traffic control system and increasing user fees to raise money for the chronically underfunded agency. —Jeremy Bogaisky, Forbes, 2 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1948, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

privatize

transitive verb

pri·​va·​tize ˈprī-və-ˌtīz 

privatized; privatizing

: to make private

especially : to change (as a business or industry) from public to private control or ownership

privatization

ˌprī-və-tə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌtī- 

noun