privatize
verb
pri·vat·ize ˈprī-və-ˌtīz 
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
Jeff Bailey privatization
ˌprī-və-tə-ˈzā-shən
noun 
Example Sentences
The city decided to privatize the municipal power company. a proposal to privatize the health-care system
Recent Examples on the Web The government has repeatedly promised to address high-level corruption and privatize state assets but efforts have fallen short, observers say. Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, 7 Jan. 2022 In a new attack ad, the DSCC played clips of Masters calling to privatize Social Security. Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 19 Aug. 2022 Almost every social-media platform offers its users an option to privatize their account—a way for people to control who engages with their content, often to avoid the judgment, schadenfreude, bullying, and snark that are ubiquitous online. Jennifer Miller, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The annual report also addresses the U.K. government’s plans to privatize Channel 4. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 July 2022 The allegations come in a pivotal moment for Blue Origin, as the company attempts to compete in the increasingly crowded race to privatize space travel. Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2021 In education, the neoliberal goal has been to privatize public schools to the extent possible, or, alternatively, to create forms of consumer choice, such as vouchers, that will constrain the public schools. Win Mccormack, The New Republic, 20 May 2022 Fix the major problem sites like bridges and tunnels, privatize roads that are not used except by those that live off them, commuter shuttle programs, and timed lane restrictions, Cargo trains could also use commuter rail lines after hours. Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2022 Ahead of the busy summer season, the town is moving to privatize its airport and impose new restrictions on how often planes can fly in. James Fanelli, WSJ, 15 May 2022 See More
Georgi Kantchev, WSJ, 7 Jan. 2022 In a new attack ad, the DSCC played clips of Masters calling to privatize Social Security. Alexandra Marquez, NBC News, 19 Aug. 2022 Almost every social-media platform offers its users an option to privatize their account—a way for people to control who engages with their content, often to avoid the judgment, schadenfreude, bullying, and snark that are ubiquitous online. Jennifer Miller, The Atlantic, 12 Aug. 2022 The annual report also addresses the U.K. government’s plans to privatize Channel 4. Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 July 2022 The allegations come in a pivotal moment for Blue Origin, as the company attempts to compete in the increasingly crowded race to privatize space travel. Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2021 In education, the neoliberal goal has been to privatize public schools to the extent possible, or, alternatively, to create forms of consumer choice, such as vouchers, that will constrain the public schools. Win Mccormack, The New Republic, 20 May 2022 Fix the major problem sites like bridges and tunnels, privatize roads that are not used except by those that live off them, commuter shuttle programs, and timed lane restrictions, Cargo trains could also use commuter rail lines after hours. Baltimore Sun, 18 May 2022 Ahead of the busy summer season, the town is moving to privatize its airport and impose new restrictions on how often planes can fly in. James Fanelli, WSJ, 15 May 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
1948, in the meaning defined above
Legal 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