- to use (serviceable parts from one machine or vehicle) to repair another, esp as an alternative to using new parts
- (of a commercial product) to achieve sales to the detriment of (sales of another product made by the same company)
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
can•ni•bal•ize /ˈkænəbəˌlaɪz/USA pronunciation
v. [~ + object], -ized, -iz•ing.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- to remove parts from (a machine, etc.) to repair or make a similar unit:cannibalized the backup generator to get the main one going again.
can•ni•bal•ize
(kan′ə bə līz′),USA pronunciation v., -ized, -iz•ing.
v.t.
v.i.
can′ni•bal•i•za′tion, n.
v.t.
- to subject to cannibalism.
- to remove parts, equipment, assets, employees, etc., from (an item, product, or business) in order to use them in another:to cannibalize old airplanes for replacement parts.
- to cut into;
cause to become reduced;
diminish:New products introduced in the next six months will cannibalize sales from established lines.
v.i.
- to act cannibalistically;
practice cannibalism.
- cannibal + -ize 1940–45
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
cannibalize, cannibalise /ˈkænɪbəˌlaɪz/ vb (transitive)