C1verbUK spelling: privatiseformalpoliticsbusiness
US/ˈpraɪ.və.taɪz/
UK/ˈpraɪ.və.taɪz/
to sell a business or service owned by the government to private owners
In context
The government decided to privatize the national railway.
Critics fear that privatizing water will push prices up.
The airline was privatized in the 1980s and soon made a profit.
Words that go with privatize
verb + noun
- privatize state-owned companiesThe government will privatize several state-owned companies next year.
- privatize public servicesVoters opposed efforts to privatize public services.
- privatize waterCritics fear that plans to privatize water will raise household bills.
adverb + verb
- partially privatizeThe state agreed to partially privatize the power grid.
verb + preposition
- plan to privatizeThe minister said she did not plan to privatize hospitals.