SINCE 1828

An Encyclopædia Britannica Company

collateralize

verb col·lat·er·al·ize \ kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rə-ˌlīz \

Definition of collateralize

collateralized; collateralizing

transitive verb

1 :to make (a loan) secure with collateral

2 :to use (something, such as securities) for collateral

Recent Examples of collateralize from the Web

The records also show that many properties are cross-collateralized and financed by real estate speculators rather than traditional lenders.

— edmund h. mahony, courant.com, "Judge Calls Fugitive Hartford Lawyer 'Mind-Boggling'," 25 July 2017
The bonds AEG proposed the city borrow were fully collateralized by AEG, but sources tell Billboard there was always a concern that AEG's financial projections regarding were too optimistic and might not pan out.

— dave brooks, Billboard, "AEG Drops Out of KeyArena Project, Ceding Project to Leiweke," 5 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'collateralize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of collateralize

1941

Law Dictionary

collateralize

transitive verb col·lat·er·al·ize \ kə-ˈla-tə-rə-ˌlīz, -ˈla-trə- \

legal Definition of collateralize

collateralized; collateralizing

1 :to make (a loan) secure with collateral

2 :to use (as securities) for collateral

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up collateralize? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

WORD OF THE DAY

nuncupative

play

spoken rather than written

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

alt-59ea52ed7b96f

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Where did we get 'freshman' and 'sophomore'?

alt-59e900afadac6

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

In the past, you could invent fruit.

alt-59e8c3440f453

I'll Have the Us(ual)

Shortening 'usual': easy to say, hard to spell

alt-59e77dc36c593

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

From the front hallways to the back rooms

Ask the Editors

video-title-words-of-the-year-1066

Words of the Year: 1066

Or, Why Pig Meat is Called 'Pork' and Cow Meat is Called 'Beef'

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Don't get us started on 'bimonthly'

video-irregardless-grammar-peeve-blend-of-the-synonyms-irrespective-and-regardless

Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

video-moose-goose-weird-plurals

Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

one-green-toy-robot-amidst-many-red-toy-robots

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these things doesn't belong?

Take the quiz

knupfer-painting-solon-before-croesus

Forms of Government Quiz

Name that government! Or something like that.

Take the quiz

Name That Thing

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

Take the quiz

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® Sprint

SCRABBLE® fans, sharpen your skills!

Play the game