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

When Venezuelan strongman Hugo Chávez nationalized the ports at Puerto Cabello in 2009, Epstein advised the chief executive of the Dubai multinational that had operated it on how to navigate the situation. —Shirsho Dasgupta, Miami Herald, 27 May 2026

Habeas corpus was nationalized as part of the qualitative and quantitative increase in federal power brought on by the Civil War. —Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 25 May 2026

Really, how embarrassing for Cruz if his speculated run for president in 2028 falters based on a 2026 attempt to nationalize an industry that Texans consider their own. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Castro nationalized their land in 1961. —Abraham Jiménez Enoa, The Dial, 19 May 2026

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