What does globalising mean?
Globalising describes the process of making something worldwide or becoming increasingly connected across national borders. It is commonly used for the international expansion of companies, markets, technologies, media, and cultural influences, as well as for broader social and economic trends. The word can imply deliberate action, such as a corporation globalising its supply chain, or a general movement, as when digital services are globalising access to information. In British English it is usually written "globalising," while American English commonly uses "globalizing." Its meaning is generally neutral, though discussions of globalisation and globalising processes often explore consequences such as cultural exchange, economic inequality, and the changing power of local communities. As a participial adjective, it can characterise a trend or influence, as in "globalising business practices."
Making something global in scope, operation, or influence; also, becoming global.
"The organisation is globalising its presence in emerging markets."
In this use, globalising can be transitive or intransitive, depending on whether something is being made worldwide or is itself expanding worldwide.
Describing a trend, force, influence, or effect that is making something increasingly worldwide.
"Globalising pressures have transformed the way the industry operates."
This use is especially common in political, economic, and cultural commentary.
Globalising is what puts borders into the sentence: it describes the process of making something worldwide.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does globalising come from?
Globalising derives from the English verb globalise, formed from global and the suffix -ise. Global itself comes from globe, which ultimately derives from the Latin globus, meaning "globe" or "ball." The related nouns globalization and globalism belong to the same word family and express different aspects of worldwide outlook or process.
Related word forms
How globalising is actually used
The word is common in business, political, academic, and media prose. It is generally neutral but can suggest an active process of worldwide expansion, sometimes with implications for local communities and cultures.
Easily confused with globalising
"Globalising" is the British spelling of the present participle, whereas "globalizing" is the standard American spelling.