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
Israel, Britain and France had just invaded Egyptian territory in a bid to take over the Suez Canal, which Egypt had decided to nationalize.
—
Greg Myre, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
But in the mid-1970s, Burnham took control of the country’s resources, nationalizing sugar production as well as bauxite mining.
—Gaiutra Bahadur Keisha Scarville, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Even so, the impulse to nationalize the problem will have its own, infelicitous effects.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
In November last year, Ukraine’s government nationalized the assets of Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, an oil refinery in which Kolomoisky and Boholiubov held controlling stakes, saying the companies were needed for the war effort.
—David L. Stern, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2023
Although Ohio is far from the border in question, the issue has been nationalized to great effect.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024
Matt Stoller, the director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project, a progressive think tank, made that case in January in his newsletter, arguing that the government has a history of nationalizing utilities, railroads and aerospace firms.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
West has suggested the country nationalize the fossil fuel industry, declare a climate emergency, impose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and pause lease sales for drilling on federal lands and water.
—Dipka Bhambhani, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
When François Mitterrand won the presidency in 1981, Mr. Delors was named finance minister in a government committed to nationalizing many banks and major industries, vastly increasing public spending and raising taxes on the wealthy.
—Paul Lewis, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2023
Greg Myre, NPR, 2 Apr. 2024
But in the mid-1970s, Burnham took control of the country’s resources, nationalizing sugar production as well as bauxite mining.
—Gaiutra Bahadur Keisha Scarville, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2024
Even so, the impulse to nationalize the problem will have its own, infelicitous effects.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024
In November last year, Ukraine’s government nationalized the assets of Ukrnafta and Ukrtatnafta, an oil refinery in which Kolomoisky and Boholiubov held controlling stakes, saying the companies were needed for the war effort.
—David L. Stern, Washington Post, 17 Sep. 2023
Although Ohio is far from the border in question, the issue has been nationalized to great effect.
—Ron Elving, NPR, 23 Mar. 2024
Matt Stoller, the director of research at the American Economic Liberties Project, a progressive think tank, made that case in January in his newsletter, arguing that the government has a history of nationalizing utilities, railroads and aerospace firms.
—Allison Morrow, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024
West has suggested the country nationalize the fossil fuel industry, declare a climate emergency, impose a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and pause lease sales for drilling on federal lands and water.
—Dipka Bhambhani, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024
When François Mitterrand won the presidency in 1981, Mr. Delors was named finance minister in a government committed to nationalizing many banks and major industries, vastly increasing public spending and raising taxes on the wealthy.
—Paul Lewis, New York Times, 27 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'nationalize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near nationalize
Cite this Entry
“Nationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalize. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
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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