v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Denationalized p. pr. & vb. n. Denationalizing. ] [ Cf. F. dénationaliser. ] 1. To divest or deprive of national character or rights. [ 1913 Webster ]

Bonaparte's decree denationalizes, as he calls it, all ships that have touched at a British port. Cobbett. [ 1913 Webster ]

An expatriated, denationalized race. G. Eliot. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. to change (something, as an industry or business) from state to private ownership or control; as, the British denationalization of steel.
Syn. -- privatize, denationalise. [ WordNet 1.5 ]