nationalize

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

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
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.
Allow that industry to be nationalized, and the left will soon target others, destroying our economy and our personal liberty. — Betsy McCaughey, Boston Herald, 8 June 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 Too often issues are nationalized where people begin to argue with strangers, which can lead people using caricatures to oversimplify complex problems. — Dj Simmons, Charlotte Observer, 2 June 2026 But Democrats are nationalizing the election as a referendum on an unpopular president. — John Seiler, Oc Register, 4 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for nationalize

Word History

First Known Use

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 7 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on nationalize

Nglish: Translation of nationalize for Spanish Speakers

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