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
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
See All Example Sentences for nationalize
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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
See All Example Sentences for nationalize
Cite this Entry
“Nationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalize. Accessed 21 Aug. 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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