<p><strong>Verb</strong></p><ul><li><p>(used with object) to write or print in capital letters or with an initial capital letter</p></li><li><p>to authorize a certain amount of stocks and bonds in the corporate charter of: to capitalize a corporation</p></li><li><p>to issue stock as a dividend, thereby capitalizing retained earnings, or as settlement of an unpaid arrearage of preferred dividends</p></li><li><p>(Accounting) to set up (expenditures) as business assets in the books of account instead of treating as expense</p></li><li><p>to supply with capital</p></li><li><p>to estimate the value of (a stock or an enterprise)</p></li><li><p>(used without object) to take advantage of; turn something to one's advantage (often followed by on): to capitalize on one's opportunities</p></li></ul><p><strong>Synonyms</strong></p><ul><li>utilize</li><li>exploit</li></ul>