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.
Almost all states in the U.S. have privatized Medicaid programs administered with the health of insurers like UnitedHealth Group’s UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans, Centene, Molina Healthcare and an array of others. Bruce Japsen, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024 At the moment in Iceland, there is no regulation on whether lava can be privatized, like oil. Elizabeth Fazzare, Architectural Digest, 27 Nov. 2024 During that campaign, Oz was a vocal supporter of privatizing Medicare. Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 21 Nov. 2024 The real risk is that by providing a clear statement about privatizing risk, the government could destabilize confidence in the entire system of assets that are implicitly believed to be backed by the state. Drew Bernstein, Forbes, 22 Oct. 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 17 Dec. 2024.

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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