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standardize

STAN-der-dyz /ˈstændərdaɪz/

verbB2IELTSGMAT

businesstechnical

To cause something to conform to a standard; to make things of the same type have the same features.

Often used in a technical or industrial sense, but in globalization, it refers to making products or cultures identical.

The story behind the word. From the Old French 'estendart', a banner or flag used as a rallying point in battle. To 'standardize' is to bring everything under one 'banner' or rule.

Word relationships

normalize: To make something conform to a 'norm' or become accepted as normal.
homogenize: A more critical term for making things the same, often implying a loss of quality.

customize: To modify something to suit a particular individual or task.
differentiate: To make something different from others.

Commonly confused with

glocalization: Standardize is to make it the same everywhere; glocalization is to change it for each place.

Word family

standardization (noun): The process of making something conform to a standard.
standard (noun/adjective): A level of quality or attainment.

Collocations

standardize procedures
standardize products
globally standardized

Example sentences

"We need to standardize our service so that customers get the same experience in every branch." A business owner explains why their shops look the same everywhere.
"The metric system was created to standardize measurements across the world." Discussing the importance of universal measurements.

Memory hook

Think of a 'Standard' size of paper (like A4). It's the same everywhere so it fits in every printer. One rule for all.

When not to use

Don't use for people's behavior unless you are being critical of their lack of individuality.

Fun facts

The shipping container is one of the most successfully standardized objects in history, allowing global trade to explode.