cannibalize

can·ni·bal·ize

C c

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [kan-uh-buh-lahyz]
- /ˈkæn ə bəˌlaɪz/
- /ˈkæn.ɪ.bəl.aɪz/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kan-uh-buh-lahyz]
- /ˈkæn ə bəˌlaɪz/

Definitions of cannibalize word

verb cannibalize If you cannibalize something, you take it to pieces and use it to make something else. 3
verb cannibalize If one of a company's products cannibalizes the company's sales, people buy it instead of any of the company's other products. 3
verb cannibalize to use (serviceable parts from one machine or vehicle) to repair another, esp as an alternative to using new parts 3
verb transitive cannibalize to strip (old or worn equipment) of parts for use in other units to help keep them in service 3
verb transitive cannibalize to take any or all personnel or components from (one organization) for use in building up another 3
verb transitive cannibalize to swallow up or devour (another of the same kind) 3

See all 15 definitions of cannibalize

Information block about the term

Origin of cannibalize

First appearance:

before 1940

One of the 7% newest English words

First recorded in 1940-45; cannibal + -ize

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Cannibalize

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Cannibalize

cannibalize popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 53% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

cannibalize usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for cannibalize

verb cannibalize

dismantle — to deprive or strip of apparatus, furniture, equipment, defenses, etc.: to dismantle a ship; to dismantle a fortress.
disassemble — to take apart.
salvage — the act of saving a ship or its cargo from perils of the seas.

All 3 Synonyms of cannibalize