An externality is internalized (a) if the person(s) or group that generated the externality incorporate into their own private cost-benefit calculations the external benefits (in the case of a positive externality) or the external costs (in the case of a negative externality) that third parties bear.
Explanation:
Internalizing the externality means transferring the burden or the cost of a negative externality (like pollution or traffic congestion) to inside(i.e external to internal).
An externality is internalized if the person(s) or group that generated the externality incorporate into their own private cost-benefit calculations the external benefits (in the case of a positive externality) or the external costs (in the case of a negative externality) that third parties bear.