privatize
verb
pri·vat·ize
ˈprī-və-ˌtīz 
privatized; privatizing; privatizes
: 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
Jeff Bailey 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
But ahead of last year’s presidential election, Project 2025 — a conservative think tank’s document outlining potential priorities for President Donald Trump’s second term — called for the dismantling of NOAA and for its functions to be privatized.
—Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 2 July 2025
In March, Elon Musk said Amtrak should be privatized, USA Today reported.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Omar Havana/Getty Images The FHFA has the power to order Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider crypto income on mortgage applications because of the conservatorship the two giants are still under, despite the Trump administration's intention to privatize them.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association Executive Director Aaron Lieberman told the Statesman in an email that the new version of the bill is still vague and lacks guardrails to prevent wealthy buyers or corporations from privatizing large tracts of previously accessible public land.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for privatize
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.
Elise Schmelzer, Denver Post, 2 July 2025
In March, Elon Musk said Amtrak should be privatized, USA Today reported.
—Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 2 July 2025
Omar Havana/Getty Images The FHFA has the power to order Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to consider crypto income on mortgage applications because of the conservatorship the two giants are still under, despite the Trump administration's intention to privatize them.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025
Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association Executive Director Aaron Lieberman told the Statesman in an email that the new version of the bill is still vague and lacks guardrails to prevent wealthy buyers or corporations from privatizing large tracts of previously accessible public land.
—Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 26 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for privatize
Cite this Entry
“Privatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privatize. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share