étatifier

Senses

1. 1.

   to nationalize; to bring under state control

   to transfer ownership or control of (an enterprise, industry, etc.) from private to state ownership

2. 2.

   to make state-run; to bureaucratize

   to convert into a state-administered or state-owned institution

Examples

• "Le gouvernement a étatifié les chemins de fer au début du XXe siècle."

  The government nationalized the railways at the beginning of the 20th century.

• "On craint que cette nouvelle politique n'étatifie progressivement le secteur de la santé."

  There is fear that this new policy will gradually bring the healthcare sector under state control.

• "Les syndicats demandaient à étatifier les mines pour protéger les emplois."

  The unions called for nationalizing the mines to protect jobs.

Usage

This is a relatively formal, sometimes technical term used in political and economic discourse. It is the opposite of "privatiser" (to privatize). The verb is regular and relatively uncommon in everyday speech, more typical of historical or policy discussions.