standardize

verb

stan·​dard·​ize ˈstan-dər-ˌdīz 

standardized; standardizing; standardizes

transitive verb

1

: to bring into conformity with a standard especially in order to assure consistency and regularity

trying to standardize testing procedures

There ought to be a law standardizing the controls for hot and cold in hotel and motel showers.

—Andrew A. Rooney

These rectangular steel boxes, first used about fifty years ago, revolutionized the transportation of freight by standardizing the size and shape of the container, enabling it to be moved seamlessly from boat and barge to rail or truck.

—James McCommons

2

: to compare with a standard : to determine the strength, value, or quality of (something) by comparison with a standard

standardize a solution

standardize a voltmeter

standardization

ˌstan-dər-də-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Synonyms

• formalize
• homogenize
• normalize
• regularize

Examples of standardize in a Sentence

He standardized procedures for the industry.

the plan is to standardize the test for reading comprehension so that we can see how students across the state compare

Recent Examples on the Web

One of these rules, which was approved in late 2023 after nearly four years of deliberation, was intended to standardize how these companies report their shutoffs. —Natalie Wallington, Kansas City Star, 29 Jan. 2025

The state’s Film Ready program, launched in April 2023 after a successful pilot, is helping standardize the filming process across New Jersey. —Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson, Variety, 29 Jan. 2025

Van Rijswijk said if Europe heads towards a Capital Markets Union, where fiscal, monetary and regulatory policies are standardized across European Union member states, then fewer banks will be needed. —Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025

This change also included a title adjustment to standardize the roles. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

standardize

verb

stan·​dard·​ize ˈstan-dərd-ˌīz 

standardized; standardizing

: to compare with or make agree with a standard

standardization

ˌstan-dərd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

standardize

transitive verb

stan·​dard·​ize

variants also British standardise

ˈstan-dərd-ˌīz 

standardized also British standardised; standardizing also British standardising

1

: to reduce to or compare with a standard

standardize a solution

2

: to bring into conformity with a standard

3

: to arrange or order the component items of a test (as of intelligence or personality) so that the probability of their eliciting a designated class of response varies with some quantifiable psychological or behavioral attribute, function, or characteristic

standardization noun

also British standardisation

ˌstan-dərd-ə-ˈzā-shən