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Definition of privatize - 3 dictionary results

pri⋅va⋅tize

  [prahy-vuh-tahyz]
Use privatize in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -tized, -tiz⋅ing.
1. to transfer from public or government control or ownership to private enterprise: a campaign promise to privatize some of the public lands.
2. to make exclusive; delimit or appropriate: special-interest groups attempting to privatize social issues.
Also, especially British, pri⋅va⋅tise.

Origin:
1945–50; private + -ize

Related forms:
pri⋅va⋅ti⋅za⋅tion, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To privatize
pri·va·tize   (prī'və-tīz')   
tr.v.   pri·va·tized, pri·va·tiz·ing, pri·va·tiz·es
To change (an industry or business, for example) from governmental or public ownership or control to private enterprise: "The strike ... was called to protest the ... government's plans to break up and privatize the deficit-ridden national railway system" (Christian Science Monitor).
pri'va·ti·za'tion (-tĭ-zā'shən) n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Legal Dictionary

Main Entry: pri·va·tize
Pronunciation: 'prI-v&-"tIz
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Forms: -tized; -tiz·ing
: to make private; especially : to change (as a business or industry) from public to private control or ownership —pri·va·ti·za·tion /"prI-v&-t&-'zA-sh&n, -"tI-/ noun
Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law, © 1996 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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