privatize

(prīvə tīz′)

transitive verb privatized, privatizing

to make or hold private; specif., to turn over (a public property, service, etc.) to private interests

Related Forms:

See privatize in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb pri·va·tized, pri·va·tiz·ing, pri·va·tiz·es
To change (an industry or business, for example) from governmental or public ownership or control to private enterprise: “The strike … was called to protest the … government's plans to break up and privatize the deficit-ridden national railway system” (Christian Science Monitor).

Related Forms:

  • priˌva·ti·zaˈtion (-tĭ-zāˈshən) noun

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