nationalize

na·tion·al·ize

verb
\ˈnash-nə-ˌlīz, ˈna-shə-nə-ˌlīz\

na·tion·al·izedna·tion·al·iz·ing

Definition of NATIONALIZE

transitive verb

1

: to give a national character to

2

: to invest control or ownership of in the national government

— na·tion·al·i·za·tion \ˌnash-nə-lə-ˈzā-shən, ˌna-shə-nə-lə-\ noun

— na·tion·al·iz·er \ˈnash-nə-ˌlī-zər, ˌna-shə-nə-ˌlī-zər\ noun

Examples of NATIONALIZE

1. The government nationalized the health-care system in the mid-1950s.
2. nationalizing the country's oil supply

First Known Use of NATIONALIZE

1800