nationalize

verb

na·​tion·​al·​ize ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz 

nationalized; nationalizing

transitive verb

1

: to give a national character to

2

: to invest control or ownership of in the national government

nationalization

ˌna-sh(ə-)nə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

nationalizer

ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Examples of nationalize in a Sentence

The government nationalized the health-care system in the mid-1950s.

nationalizing the country's oil supply

Recent Examples on the Web

There will always be people who feel that problems should be tackled even if the only remedies—taxing the rich, nationalizing industry, regulating private enterprise, redeeming power and policy from military or civilian bureaucracy—are radical. —John Kenneth Galbraith, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025

Short of firing squads and nationalizing much of the economy (see: Russia, 1917; Cuba, 1959), the only possible answer is massive, confiscatory taxes. —Kyle Khan-Mullins, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

On June 9, the governor sued Trump for nationalizing the California National Guard against his wishes. —Jonathan Horwitz, Oc Register, 2 July 2025

The league has centralized its media strategy and nationalized its opportunity, where any team with enough luck, pluck and competence has a chance to make a title run. —Mike Vorkunov, New York Times, 22 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nationalize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

nationalize

verb

na·​tion·​al·​ize ˈnash-nəl-ˌīz 

-ən-ᵊl-

nationalized; nationalizing

1

: to make national

2

: to remove from private ownership and place under government control

nationalize railroads

nationalization

-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

nationalize

transitive verb

na·​tion·​al·​ize ˈna-shə-nə-ˌlīz 

nationalized; nationalizing

: to invest control or ownership of in the national government