immobile

adjective

im·​mo·​bile (ˌ)i(m)-ˈmō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio)
-ˌbī(-ə)l,
 also  -ˌbēl
1
: not moving : motionless
keep the patient immobile
2
: incapable of being moved : fixed
immobility noun

Examples of immobile in a Sentence

The tranquilizer made the animal immobile. The accident left her immobile.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The face itself looked fine — a bit glowy at times and immobile around the eyes — but its novelty quickly wore off. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025 When Wells fell, he was held completely immobile for 30 minutes by the tons of wet concrete surrounding him, his suit says. Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 May 2025 In the original video shared to his 10 million followers, Lil Nas X kept a positive attitude about the ordeal, joking and demonstrating how half his face had become immobile. Brittany Spanos, Rolling Stone, 15 Apr. 2025 It must be performed during a visit to a clinic, however, and requires the patient to remain immobile. Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 4 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immobile

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in-mobill, from Latin immobilis, from in- + mobilis mobile

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of immobile was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immobile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immobile. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

immobile

adjective
im·​mo·​bile (ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio)
-ˌbēl,
-ˌbīl
: unable to move or be moved
immobility noun

Medical Definition

immobile

adjective
1
: incapable of being moved
2
: not moving
keep the patient immobile
immobility noun
plural immobilities

More from Merriam-Webster on immobile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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