privatization
gb/pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən/ us/pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən/
C1
English
~ 6800
Senses
0 senses
Noun
formal
C1
action
1
transfer from public to private control
The process when a government stops running a business or service and gives or sells it to private companies or people.
Usage pattern:
the privatization of [service/business/industry]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"privatization for"* instead of *"privatization of"*. The usual pattern is **the privatization of [something]**, for example, *"the privatization of the railways"*. Another confusion is between **privatization** (a policy or process) and **privacy** (the state of being private and not watched).
Synonyms
denationalization (More specific to the sale of previously nationalized industries, especially in British English.)
|
sale of state assets (More descriptive and informal phrase, often used in news reports instead of the technical noun.)
Antonyms
nationalization (Refers to taking private businesses or assets into state ownership, the direct opposite process of privatization.)
Collocations
mass privatization
|partial privatization
|privatization program
|privatization of public services
|privatization plan
|wave of privatization
Themes
economics
|politics
|business
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The privatization of the national railway system led to higher ticket prices and mixed reviews from passengers.
- Many voters opposed the privatization of the country’s healthcare system, fearing reduced access for low-income families.
- After years of state control, the government announced the gradual privatization of the telecommunications industry.
- International lenders pushed for the privatization of key state-owned enterprises as a condition for new loans.
- Critics argue that the privatization of water utilities puts profit ahead of basic human needs.
Learner examples
- The government is planning the privatization of the electricity company.
- Many people are worried about the privatization of public hospitals.
- After privatization, the phone company was owned by a private business.
- Some workers lost their jobs because of the privatization of the factory.
Noun
formal
C1
action
2
making shared resources privately controlled
The process when something that was open to everyone, like a public space or service, becomes controlled by private people or companies.
Usage pattern:
the privatization of [resource/space/function]
Common mistake:
Learners may think privatization always means a simple sale by the government. In this broader sense, it can also describe slow changes where private companies or groups gain control over spaces or services that used to be clearly public, even without a single sale event.
Synonyms
enclosure (Often used historically or metaphorically for taking common or shared land into private hands; more specific and less general than privatization.)
Antonyms
collectivization (Refers to organizing ownership or control collectively, usually by the community or state, instead of private individuals or firms.)
Collocations
privatization of public space
|privatization of education
|privatization of healthcare
|privatization of water resources
Themes
society
|politics
|economics
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Urban activists are protesting the gradual privatization of public space in the city center.
- Some scholars argue that the privatization of education increases social inequality.
- The report warns that the privatization of water resources could leave rural communities without affordable access.
- Residents see the new entry fees as a form of privatization of what used to be an open public park.
Learner examples
- People are worried about the privatization of public parks.
- Many teachers are against the privatization of education.
- The privatization of water in the town made it more expensive for poor families.
Grammar
Dictionary form
privatization
IPA
GB/pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən/
US/pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən/
Syllables & stress
privat - iz - a - tion (4 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (privat)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: privatization
- Plural: privatization, privatizations
Word family
Forms
privatizations
noun
Related words
privatized
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
mass privatization
1/mˈæs pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
large-scale privatization of many firms
The privatization of many state companies at the same time, usually as part of a big economic plan.
Examples
- Mass privatization in the region led to the rapid creation of a new class of private owners.
- Economists still debate the long-term effects of mass privatization programs in post-communist countries.
partial privatization
1/pˈɑɹʃəl pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
selling only part to private sector
When the government keeps some control or shares in a service or company but lets private companies own or run part of it.
Examples
- The government opted for partial privatization of the airline, keeping a 30 percent stake.
- Partial privatization was seen as a compromise between full state control and complete market ownership.
privatization drive
1/pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən dɹˈaɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
government campaign to privatize
A strong effort by a government to privatize many state companies or services.
Examples
- The new administration launched a major privatization drive to reduce public debt.
- Trade unions organized strikes in response to the government’s privatization drive.
privatization of public services
1/pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən əv pˈʌblɪk sˈɚvɪsɪz/
fixed phrase
formal
selling public services to companies
When a government stops running services like health, transport, or water and gives or sells them to private companies.
Examples
- The opposition party promised to stop any further privatization of public services if elected.
- Many citizens fear that the privatization of public services will reduce quality and increase prices.
privatization program
1/pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən pɹˈoʊɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
formal
official plan for privatization
An official plan that lists which state companies or services will be privatized and how it will happen.
Examples
- International investors are closely watching the country’s new privatization program.
- The privatization program includes the sale of several major state-owned banks.
wave of privatization
1/wˈeɪv əv pɹˈaɪvɪtəzˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
series of privatizations in succession
A period when many state businesses or services are privatized one after another.
Examples
- In the 1990s, the country experienced a wave of privatization that transformed its economy.
- The latest wave of privatization has affected transport, energy, and postal services.