state-owned

UK: ˈsteɪt əʊnd | US: ˈsteɪt oʊnd

Definition

  1. adj. owned or controlled by the government or a public authority

Structure
state <government>owned <possessed>
Etymology

The term "state-owned" combines "state," derived from Latin status (meaning "condition" or "political entity"), with "owned," the past participle of "own," from Old English āgen (meaning "possessed"). The compound emerged in the 19th–20th centuries to describe assets or enterprises under government control, reflecting the expansion of public sector economics.

Examples

  1. The state-owned railway company announced reduced fares for students.

  2. Critics argue that state-owned industries lack efficiency compared to private firms.

  3. China has many state-owned banks dominating the financial sector.

  4. The government plans to privatize some state-owned utilities next year.

  5. State-owned media often reflect official policies rather than independent journalism.