Word: Subsidize
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To subsidize means to help pay for something, usually by giving money. This support helps make things cheaper or easier for people. For example, when the government gives money to a school, it helps lower the cost of education for students.
"The government decided to subsidize public transportation to make it affordable for everyone."
In more complex contexts, "subsidize" can refer to economic policies where governmental financial support is used to encourage specific industries or sectors, such as renewable energy or agriculture.
The primary meaning revolves around financial support, but it can also imply indirect support, such as when one sector of the economy benefits from the financial help given to another.
While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that include "subsidize," you might hear phrases like "pick up the tab," which informally means to pay for someone else, similar to subsidizing.
To subsidize is to provide financial assistance to make something more affordable. It is commonly used in government and economic discussions.