mil·i·ta·rize \ˈmiləd.əˌrīz, -lətəˌ-\transitive verb (-ed/-ing/-s) Usage: see -ize Etymology: French militariser, from militaire military + -iser -ize 1.: to arm or equip with military forces and defenses : prepare for military purposes < a militarized frontier > 2.: to give (an individual or a civilian organization) a military character < a merger between maintenance workers and militarized plant guards > : subject to military methods < militarize labor >