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Privatize - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

To privatize means to transfer ownership or control of a business, service, or industry from the government to private individuals or companies. This often aims to increase efficiency or reduce public sector involvement.

privatize

/ˈpraɪvəˌtaɪz/ /ˈprʌɪvətʌɪz/

Definition:

Transfer ownership of a business or service from public to private control.

Synonyms:

denationalize, commercialize, deregulate, contract out

Part of Speech:

verb

Antonyms:

nationalize, socialize

Common Collocations:

privatize industries, privatize services, privatize assets, privatize utilities

Derivatives:

privatization, privatized, privatizing

Usage Tips:

Use "privatize" when discussing the shift from government to private ownership of services or industries.

Common Phrases:

privatize the economy, push to privatize, oppose privatization

Etymology:

Derived from Latin "privatus" (private) + "-ize," meaning to make private or transfer to private ownership.

Examples:

  • 1. The government plans to privatize the railway system next year.
  • 2. Many oppose efforts to privatize healthcare services.
  • 3. The company was privatized after decades of state control.
  • 4. Critics argue that privatizing education harms accessibility.

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