subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

transitive verb

: to furnish with a subsidy: such as

a

: to purchase the assistance of by payment of a subsidy

b

: to aid or promote (someone or something, such as a private enterprise) with public money

subsidize soybean farmers

subsidize public transportation

subsidization

ˌsəb-sə-də-ˈzā-shən 

-zə-

noun

subsidizer noun

Synonyms

• endow
• finance
• fund

Examples of subsidize in a Sentence

The state subsidizes housing for low-income families.

She feels that private businesses should not be subsidized by taxpayers.

The company subsidizes health insurance for its employees.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the post-pandemic era, the U.S. economy has struggled with inflation, undermining voters’ willingness to subsidize wealthy allies and fund foreign wars in perpetuity. —Dan Caldwell, Foreign Affairs, 13 Nov. 2024

Switzerland voted in 2022 to introduce its own streamer tax-and-quota system; Canada passed legislation to force foreign platforms to directly subsidize local content; and in 2022 Netflix started to pay local taxes in Australia on earnings from that country's users. —Mary Whitfill Roeloffs, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

Would the extra costs — that critics say would, in part, subsidize food for children from affluent families — be worth it? —Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 12 Oct. 2024

Also on the ballot, the U.S. Senate race between incumbent Republican Ted Cruz and his Democratic challenger, U.S. Rep. Colin Allred of Dallas. Between the lines: Travis County voters will decide whether to increase property taxes 2.5 cents per $100 in valuation to subsidize child care. —Asher Price, Axios, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1755, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

subsidize

verb

sub·​si·​dize ˈsəb-sə-ˌdīz 

-zə-

subsidized; subsidizing

: to aid or furnish with a subsidy

subsidization

ˌsəb-səd-ə-ˈzā-shən 

ˌsəb-zəd-

noun

subsidizer noun