immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 
immobilized; immobilizing; immobilizes
: to make immobile: such as
a
: to reduce or eliminate motion of (the body or a part) by mechanical means or by strict bed rest
b
: to prevent freedom of movement or effective use of
the planes were immobilized by bad weather
c
: to withhold (money or capital) from circulation
Synonyms
Examples of immobilize in a Sentence
Doctors immobilized her wrist by putting it in a cast.
I was immobilized by fear.
Recent Examples on the Web
Dell had his left leg immobilized in a brace, and Stroud and the rest of his teammates were distraught watching the second-year wide receiver get placed in the ambulance.
—
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Russian operators flying new fiber-optic drones recently immobilized one of the 47th Mechanized Brigade’s M-1s as the tank rolled down the road.
—David Axe, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Investigators found evidence that multiple staff members will spray a single child, causing the child to become physically sick and immobilized.
—Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
California enacted a law this year that will, among other things, require manufacturers to continuously monitor every autonomous vehicle on the road and designate a remote human operator to immobilize a vehicle if necessary.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immobilize 
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Gord Magill, Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024
Russian operators flying new fiber-optic drones recently immobilized one of the 47th Mechanized Brigade’s M-1s as the tank rolled down the road.
—David Axe, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024
Investigators found evidence that multiple staff members will spray a single child, causing the child to become physically sick and immobilized.
—Bianca Moreno-Paz, Austin American-Statesman, 22 Nov. 2024
California enacted a law this year that will, among other things, require manufacturers to continuously monitor every autonomous vehicle on the road and designate a remote human operator to immobilize a vehicle if necessary.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immobilize
Dictionary Entries Near immobilize
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immobilize. Accessed 9 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
im-ˈō-bə-ˌlīz
immobilized; immobilizing
: to fix in place : make immobile
Medical Definition
immobilize
transitive verb
im·mo·bi·lize
variants
also British immobilise
immobilized also British immobilised; immobilizing also British immobilising
: to make immobile
especially
: to fix (as a body part) so as to reduce or eliminate motion usually by means of a cast or splint, by strapping, or by strict bed rest
immobilizing a fractured bone by a cast and continuous traction
immobilize an injury
immobilize all patients with a suspected neck or spine injury
Legal Definition
immobilize
transitive verb
im·mo·bi·lize
i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz
immobilized; immobilizing
: to make immobile
specifically
: to turn (movable property) into immovable property (as by incorporating it into a building)
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