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
The agency says that cold-blooded creatures can become slow, sluggish or immobilized when temperatures hit between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
When hunting for whale sharks — the world’s largest fish — a pod of killer whales appears to target the youngest most vulnerable sharks, ram them to turn them upside done — thus immobilizing them, and will then focus on high value organs like the heart and liver.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024
Google's leaders will continue to be at least distracted, and potentially immobilized, by the government's antitrust assault just as the firm faces the greatest challenge in its history from the OpenAI/Microsoft alliance.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Since it was attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen three weeks ago, a tanker carrying roughly 1 million barrels of crude oil has been immobilized and on fire in the Red Sea.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 13 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for immobilize 
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Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 3 Dec. 2024
When hunting for whale sharks — the world’s largest fish — a pod of killer whales appears to target the youngest most vulnerable sharks, ram them to turn them upside done — thus immobilizing them, and will then focus on high value organs like the heart and liver.
—Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Nov. 2024
Google's leaders will continue to be at least distracted, and potentially immobilized, by the government's antitrust assault just as the firm faces the greatest challenge in its history from the OpenAI/Microsoft alliance.
—Dan Primack, Axios, 19 Nov. 2024
Since it was attacked by Houthi rebels in Yemen three weeks ago, a tanker carrying roughly 1 million barrels of crude oil has been immobilized and on fire in the Red Sea.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 13 Sep. 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 21 Dec. 2024.
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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