nationalize
verb
na·tion·al·ize
ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz 
nationalized; nationalizing
1
: to give a national character to
2
: to invest control or ownership of in the national government
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
Republicans flooded the polls on Election Day, an indication that nationalizing the race and raising the stakes energized the Trump base, even on behalf of a subpar candidate.
—
David Catanese, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Snus has also served as an economic engine: in 1915, Sweden nationalized its tobacco production to generate revenue for the military and a universal pension system for its citizens.
—Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Approving states’ Medicaid work requirements was a major priority of the first Trump administration, though House Republicans are currently weighing whether to nationalize work requirements, even in blue states.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025
Just as Weil has tried to nationalize his race—wins in both districts could potentially turn the House blue and give Hakeem Jeffries the title of Speaker—Valimont is trying to make her contest as a referendum on checking Trump’s power.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalize
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David Catanese, Miami Herald, 2 Apr. 2025
Snus has also served as an economic engine: in 1915, Sweden nationalized its tobacco production to generate revenue for the military and a universal pension system for its citizens.
—Carrie Battan, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025
Approving states’ Medicaid work requirements was a major priority of the first Trump administration, though House Republicans are currently weighing whether to nationalize work requirements, even in blue states.
—Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 7 Mar. 2025
Just as Weil has tried to nationalize his race—wins in both districts could potentially turn the House blue and give Hakeem Jeffries the title of Speaker—Valimont is trying to make her contest as a referendum on checking Trump’s power.
—Philip Elliott, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for nationalize
Cite this Entry
“Nationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalize. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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
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