reprivatize

[ ree-prahy-vuh-tahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, re·pri·va·tized, re·pri·va·tiz·ing.

1. to restore to private control; remove from governmental jurisdiction.

Word History and Origins

Origin of reprivatize¹

First recorded in 1945–50; re- + private + -ize

Example Sentences

“There was a lot of speculation that the bill would reprivatize some or all of Fannie and Freddie, not just liquidate them,” said Karen Petrou, managing partner at Federal Financial Analytics.

From Washington Post

Mr. Gemba spoke not long after the country’s largest newspaper, The Yomiuri, cited unidentified sources as saying the government was considering a plan to temporarily acquire a majority stake in the company, help it shoulder the liabilities that are likely to be incurred from the nuclear accident, and reprivatize it.

From New York Times

Government life support has boosted the economy, but "the issue is what happens when you reprivatize the market," he says.

From BusinessWeek

In West Germany, the Adenauer government is plowing ahead with its plan to "reprivatize" a $1 billion industrial empire inherited from the Nazis.

From Time Magazine Archive