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Definition of privatization

privatization

/ˌpraɪvətəˈzeɪʃən/
(UK: privatisation)
pri · va · ti · za · tion
Plural:privatizations
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privatization Lexical Profile

privatization Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The transfer of a business, industry, service, or property from public or government ownership and control to private enterprise.

Example

"The privatization of the national railway system sparked intense debate among economists and commuters alike."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for privatization

• Rhymes for privatization

• Nearby Words

privately
privateness
privates
privatization
privatize
privet
privilege

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-20th century from the verb 'privatize' plus the noun suffix '-ation', ultimately tracing back to the Latin 'privatus', meaning 'withdrawn from public life' or 'belonging to an individual'. The economic term gained widespread currency in the 1970s and 1980s as governments increasingly transferred state-owned industries to the private sector.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Privatization. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/privatization
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