What does nationalize mean?
Nationalize means to bring an industry, asset, or service under state ownership or control. It is especially common in discussions of government policy, public utilities, railways, energy, banking, and other major sectors of the economy. The word can also be used more broadly to mean making something national in scope or influence, although this sense is less frequent. In neutral reporting, “nationalize the railways” describes a change in ownership; in political debate, the same expression may carry connotations about state intervention, efficiency, or control. The verb is usually transitive and takes the entity being brought under national ownership as its object. Its standard noun derivative is “nationalization,” and the closely related word “privatize” describes the reverse process. British English commonly uses the spelling “nationalise,” while American English uses “nationalize.”
verbTo transfer an industry, asset, or service from private ownership or control to ownership or control by the state. Less commonly, to make something national in scope or status.
- To transfer ownership or control of an industry, asset, or service from private hands to the state.
- To make something national in scope, status, or application.
"The government decided to nationalize the railway system in order to improve service across the country."
"Lawmakers proposed nationalizing the water company after years of unreliable service."
"The campaign sought to nationalize the movement so that it could speak for the country as a whole."
Nationalize means putting an industry under the nation's umbrella—sometimes literally, by moving it from private hands into public ownership.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nationalize come from?
The verb was formed in English during the 19th century from national plus the suffix -ize. “National” comes through French from Latin natio, a term associated with birth or origin and the body of people constituting a nation. Its relatives include nation and nationality, all of which share the same Latin foundation.
Related word forms
How nationalize is actually used
The word is most common in political, economic, and industrial contexts and may carry evaluative connotations concerning government ownership. British English normally spells it nationalise.
Easily confused with nationalize
Nationalize means to transfer something to state ownership or control, whereas naturalize can mean to make something seem natural or to grant citizenship.
Nationalize transfers an entity into public ownership, while privatize transfers ownership or control from the state to private hands.