What does globalised mean?
Globalised describes something that has become worldwide in scope, operation, or influence. The word is especially common when discussing economies, markets, industries, societies, culture, and supply chains whose activities no longer remain confined to a single nation or region. For example, a globalised company may manufacture products across several countries, while a globalised financial system may connect markets and institutions worldwide. The term can be neutral, describing the practical reality of international integration, but it may also imply that local economies and cultures have become increasingly similar or subject to common worldwide forces. Globalised is the past participle and adjectival form of globalise; American English commonly spells it globalized. Its usefulness lies in capturing a broad contemporary transformation: processes that were once local or national becoming part of interconnected global systems.
Worldwide in scope or influence; integrated into or characteristic of systems that operate across countries and regions.
"The debate over the cultural effects of a globalised media industry continued throughout the conference."
Common in formal writing about international economics, politics, society, and culture.
The past tense and past participle of globalise, meaning to make something worldwide or subject it to worldwide operation.
"The company globalised its distribution network as it expanded into new markets."
In this use, globalised describes an action that has been completed or a resulting state.
Globalised captures the moment when local decisions acquire worldwide consequences.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does globalised come from?
Globalised derives from globalise, which was formed from global. Global comes through French from Latin globalis, meaning “of the world” or “worldwide,” and ultimately from Latin globus, meaning “globe” or “mass.” The verb globalise developed in the 20th century in connection with the increasing international integration of economies and societies. British English generally uses the -ise ending, whereas American English generally uses -ize.
Related word forms
How globalised is actually used
Globalised is formal and common in economic, political, academic, and sociological writing. It can suggest a process of worldwide integration, but sometimes carries a neutral or even mildly critical implication concerning the loss of local distinctiveness or control. The British spelling usually takes -ise, while the American spelling usually takes -ize.
Easily confused with globalised
Globalised and globalized are British and American spellings of the same word, not different meanings.
Globalised indicates worldwide scope or operation, whereas localised indicates that something is concentrated within a particular place or community.