nationalize

1 of 2

verb

na·​tion·​al·​ize ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce nationalize (audio)
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 How to pronounce nationalize (audio)
noun
nationalizer
ˈna-sh(ə-)nə-ˌlī-zər How to pronounce nationalize (audio)
noun

nationalizer

2 of 2

noun

na·​tion·​al·​iz·​er
variants also British nationaliser
-ze(r)
plural -s
: one that advocates nationalization
the English railway nationalizers proposed that the state should own the lines—Contemporary Review

Examples of nationalize in a Sentence

Verb The government nationalized the health-care system in the mid-1950s. nationalizing the country's oil supply
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
Instead of moderating his public health approach for economic stability, el Sayed advised using the public health emergency to advance liberal causes, including as a bridge to Medicare for All, nationalized health insurance. — Gabrielle M. Etzel, The Washington Examiner, 9 Aug. 2026 After Castro nationalized the family’s holdings without compensation, the family fled into exile, arriving in the United States with little more than its experience in the sugar business. — Luisa Yanez, Miami Herald, 5 Aug. 2026 Given the lack of Saudi transparency on nuclear issues, the construction of an enrichment facility in the kingdom thus carries the risk that the facility could be nationalized or diverted for military use during a crisis. — Yoel Guzansky, Foreign Affairs, 3 Aug. 2026 The cost of nationalizing the water industry alone would cost £100 billion ($132 billion), according to an estimate by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. — Anna Cooban, CNN Money, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nationalize

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

1799, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nationalize was in 1799

Rhymes for nationalize

See All Rhymes for nationalize

Browse Nearby Words

nationalization
nationalize
nationalizer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nationalize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nationalize. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nationalize

verb
na·​tion·​al·​ize ˈnash-nəl-ˌīz How to pronounce nationalize (audio)
-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 How to pronounce nationalize (audio)
noun

Legal Definition

nationalize

transitive verb
na·​tion·​al·​ize ˈna-shə-nə-ˌlīz How to pronounce nationalize (audio)
nationalized; nationalizing
: to invest control or ownership of in the national government

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Nglish: Translation of nationalize for Spanish Speakers

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