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
ˌprī-və-tə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce privatize (audio)
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.
The 108,000-square-foot site was privatized, and the current owner—a subsidiary of Maqro Property called Rike Dom—is planning to build a hotel on it, though details have not been released. — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 27 Aug. 2026 That said, going indie does not eliminate risk so much as privatize it. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 21 Aug. 2026 Yet Zhu also privatized the housing stock, instantly creating an urban middle class. — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 12 Aug. 2026 In 1984, the GPO's telecommunications division was privatized as British Telecom, and the landmark was renamed the Telecom Tower, and eventually, the BT Tower. — David Szondy august 01, New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026 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

Rhymes for privatize

See All Rhymes for privatize

Browse Nearby Words

privatization
privatize
privet
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Privatize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/privatize. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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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
privatization
ˌprī-və-tə-ˈzā-shən, -ˌtī- How to pronounce privatize (audio)
noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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