centralize

1 of 2

verb

cen·​tral·​ize ˈsen-trə-ˌlīz 

centralized; centralizing

intransitive verb

: to form a center : cluster around a center

transitive verb

1

: to bring to a center : consolidate

centralize all the data in one file

2

: to concentrate by placing power and authority in a center or central organization

centralized several functions in a single agency

centralization

ˌsen-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

centralizer

ˈsen-trə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

centralization

2 of 2

noun

cen·​tral·​i·​za·​tion

variants also British centralisation

ˌsen-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

-ˌlī-ˈzā-

plural -s

1

: the act or process of centralizing : the state of being centralized

2

a

: concentration of the powers and agencies of government in the central or national organization

b

: concentration of authority and power in the hands of a few

he believed in strong centralization—the concentration of power in a few hands, the strict regimentation

—H. L. Mencken

Synonyms of centralize

Verb

• consolidate
• concentrate
• integrate

Examples of centralize in a Sentence

Verb

All shipping operations have been centralized at the Miami office.

The controversial reforms could be used to further centralize power in the hands of one party.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Direct bus service from the Westside to SoFi Stadium is centralized around the downtown Santa Monica World Cup service station. — Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2026

Councilmember Carroll Fife, meanwhile, shares Houston’s rationale that voters should be allowed a say despite her own misgivings about centralizing power in a single individual. — Shomik Mukherjee, Mercury News, 11 June 2026

Use tools like Todoist, Microsoft To Do or Notion to centralize priorities, and mute non‑essential alerts. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

The next era will not belong to societies that centralize everything. — Keith Krach, Fortune, 7 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French centralisation, from centraliser + -ation

First Known Use

Verb

1795, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for centralize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

centralize

verb

cen·​tral·​ize ˈsen-trə-ˌlīz 

centralized; centralizing

: to bring to a central point or under a single control

centralization

ˌsen-trə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun