nationalize

/ˌnæʃ(ə)nəˈlaɪz/

/ˈnæʃɪnəlaɪz/

Other forms: nationalized; nationalizing; nationalizes

To nationalize something is to make it public, or government-run, rather than private. Many countries, including the U.K. and Germany, have acted to nationalize railroads during periods when they faced bankruptcy.

In the United States, a relatively recent decision to nationalize an industry occurred after the attacks on September 11, 2001. Before that, security at airports was run by private companies. Afterward, the Transportation Security Administration was founded as a federal agency, nationalizing the security in all airports throughout the country. The original definition of nationalize is "invest with a national character," the way you'd nationalize your house by hanging an American flag on the porch.

Definitions of nationalize

1. verb

   put under state control or ownership
   “Mitterand nationalized the banks”

   synonyms: nationalise

   antonyms:

   denationalize

   put under private control or ownership

   types:

   communise, communize

   make into property owned by the state

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation
2. verb

   make national in character or scope
   “His heroic deeds were nationalized by the press”

   synonyms: nationalise

   type of:

   alter, change, modify

   cause to change; make different; cause a transformation