normalize

American  

[nawr-muh-lahyz] / ˈnɔr məˌlaɪz /

especially British, normalise

verb (used with object)

normalizes, present (3rd person singular) normalized, past participle, past normalizing present participle

1. to make normal.

   Traditional Chinese medicine uses ginseng to normalize blood pressure.

2. to cause (something previously considered abnormal or unacceptable) to be treated as normal.

   I have to resist the impulse to normalize her eccentricities.

3. to establish or resume (relations) in a normal manner, as between countries.

4. Statistics. to mathematically transform or adjust (the values in a data set) so that they fit a standard measure or scale, such as by making all the values fall between 0 and 1.

   Data was normalized before analysis.

5. Metallurgy. to heat (a steel alloy) to a suitable temperature above the transformation range and then cool it in still air at ambient temperature.

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verb (used without object)

normalizes, present (3rd person singular) normalized, past participle, past normalizing present participle

1. to become normal; resume a normal state.

   Prices soon normalized after the war.

normalize British  

/ ˈnɔːməˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to bring or make into the normal state

2. to bring into conformity with a standard

3. to heat (steel) above a critical temperature and allow it to cool in air to relieve internal stresses; anneal

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• denormalization
  noun
• normalization
  noun
• overnormalization
  noun
• renormalization
  noun
• unnormalized
  adjective
• unnormalizing
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• normalizing
  present
• normalized
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• normalize
  simple
• normalizes
  simple
• have normalized
  perfect
• has normalized
  perfect
• am normalizing
  progressive
• are normalizing
  progressive
• is normalizing
  progressive
• have been normalizing
  perfect progressive
• has been normalizing
  perfect progressive

Past

• normalized
  simple
• had normalized
  perfect
• was normalizing
  progressive
• were normalizing
  progressive
• had been normalizing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will normalize
  simple
• will have normalized
  perfect
• will be normalizing
  progressive
• will have been normalizing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of normalize

First recorded in 1860–65; normal + -ize

Explanation

If it's out of whack, totally crazy and absolutely bizarre, it should probably be normalized, or put back into a normal state. Something that's been normalized has been put back to normal, whether you're talking about the weather pattern or your sleep habits. Someone who likes to keep things in order is probably a fan of the word normalize. Stock brokers, for example, hate it when the stock market takes them on a wild, unpredictable ride; they'd much rather have things normalize and settle down.

Example Sentences

Despite the rebound, it will take time for Gulf flows to normalize, and uncertainty remains over how the Strait of Hormuz will be governed going forward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 2026

Citrini says that as oil prices normalize “we think tourism to the U.S. will see a sustained uplift” and spark airlines to start cycling higher.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 25, 2026

Goldman Sachs estimates Persian Gulf oil exports will normalize by July, but shipowner caution and Iran’s goals pose risks.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

Despite the tentative peace deal, it will take time for oil shipments to return to prewar volumes and energy infrastructure to normalize.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 18, 2026

Modern Spiritualism helped normalize female leadership—advancing the public power and wisdom of women’s voices.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• assign
• conduct
• distribute
• establish
• file
• place
• plan