Main Entry:

cap·i·tal·ize

Pronunciation:

\ˈka-pə-tə-ˌlīz, ˈkap-tə-, British also kə-ˈpi-tə-\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

cap·i·tal·ized; cap·i·tal·iz·ing

Date:

1764

transitive verb1: to write or print with an initial capital or in capitals2 a: to convert into capital <capitalize the company's reserve fund> b: to treat as an amortizable investment in long-term capital assets rather than as an ordinary operating expense to be charged against revenue for the period in which it is incurred <capitalize development costs>3 a: to compute the present value of (an income extended over a period of time) b: to convert (a periodic payment) into an equivalent capital sum <capitalized annuities>4: to supply capital forintransitive verb: to gain by turning something to advantage : profit <capitalize on an opponent's mistake>