standardize

1 of 2

verb

stan·​dard·​ize ˈstan-dər-ˌdīz 

standardized; standardizing; standardizes

transitive verb

1

: to bring into conformity with a standard especially in order to assure consistency and regularity

trying to standardize testing procedures

There ought to be a law standardizing the controls for hot and cold in hotel and motel showers.

—Andrew A. Rooney

These rectangular steel boxes, first used about fifty years ago, revolutionized the transportation of freight by standardizing the size and shape of the container, enabling it to be moved seamlessly from boat and barge to rail or truck.

—James McCommons

2

: to compare with a standard : to determine the strength, value, or quality of (something) by comparison with a standard

standardize a solution

standardize a voltmeter

standardization

ˌstan-dər-də-ˈzā-shən 

noun

standardization

2 of 2

noun

stan·​dard·​iza·​tion

variants also British standardisation

ˌstandə(r)də̇ˈzāshən, 

-aan-, 

-(r)ˌdīˈ-

plural -s

: the act, process, or result of standardizing : the condition in which a standard has been achieved or effectively applied

Synonyms of standardize

Verb

• organize
• normalize
• formalize
• regulate
• regularize
• integrate
• coordinate

Examples of standardize in a Sentence

Verb

He standardized procedures for the industry.

the plan is to standardize the test for reading comprehension so that we can see how students across the state compare

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Maximizing value requires standardizing workflows and robust system integration. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Implement a digital visual-management platform across six facilities to standardize workflows and improve infection prevention, care coordination, workforce effectiveness, quality, and patient safety. — Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Arkansas Online, 27 Aug. 2026

Users can think about it like a USB-C cord, which standardizes how information is transmitted between devices. — Ashley Capoot, CNBC, 27 Aug. 2026

The trigger was the federal Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act of 1974, which set out to standardize the nation’s child welfare system by giving states grants to more effectively investigate reports of child abuse. — Audrey Dutton, ProPublica, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1792, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for standardize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

standardize

verb

stan·​dard·​ize ˈstan-dərd-ˌīz 

standardized; standardizing

: to compare with or make agree with a standard

standardization

ˌstan-dərd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

standardize

transitive verb

stan·​dard·​ize

variants also British standardise

ˈstan-dərd-ˌīz 

standardized also British standardised; standardizing also British standardising

1

: to reduce to or compare with a standard

standardize a solution

2

: to bring into conformity with a standard

3

: to arrange or order the component items of a test (as of intelligence or personality) so that the probability of their eliciting a designated class of response varies with some quantifiable psychological or behavioral attribute, function, or characteristic

standardization noun

also British standardisation

ˌstan-dərd-ə-ˈzā-shən