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.
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.