mobilize

verb

mo·​bi·​lize ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

mobilized; mobilizing

transitive verb

1

a

: to put into movement or circulation

mobilize financial assets

b

: to release (something stored in the organism) for bodily use

The body mobilizes its antibodies.

2

a

: to assemble and make ready for war duty

mobilize all reserve forces for overseas duty

b

: to marshal (something, such as resources) for action

mobilize support for a proposal

intransitive verb

: to undergo mobilization

The army can mobilize quickly for a major war.

Synonyms

• marshal
• marshall
• muster
• rally

Examples of mobilize in a Sentence

They couldn't mobilize enough support to pass the new law.

Several groups have mobilized to oppose the proposed new law.

They have the ability to mobilize quickly.

The government had to mobilize the army quickly.

More than 10,000 troops were mobilized for war.

Recent Examples on the Web

Stand with Crypto, which has enrolled 1.8 million advocates across the country, is also working to mobilize digital asset owners living in swing states. —Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

See celebrities cast their votes in 2024 presidential election Speaking on stage alongside her pal and former Destiny's Child bandmate Kelly Rowland, Beyoncé urged voters to mobilize. —Jessica Wang, EW.com, 5 Nov. 2024

The Vote for Freedom rally is the campaign’s final Get Out The Vote effort before Election Day on Tuesday and is part of a simultaneous organizing of events the campaign is holding in seven battleground states to capture grassroots enthusiasm and mobilize voters. —Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Nov. 2024

Orlando Police said that around 100 officers were mobilized in response to the incident. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 1 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

mobilize

verb

mo·​bi·​lize ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

mobilized; mobilizing

: to assemble and make ready for action : marshal

mobilization

ˌmō-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

mobilize

verb

mo·​bi·​lize

variants also British mobilise

ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

mobilized also British mobilised; mobilizing also British mobilising

transitive verb

1

: to put into movement or circulation : make mobile

specifically : to release (something stored in the body) for body use

the body mobilizes its antibodies

2

: to assemble (as resources) and make ready for use

the sympathetic nervous system … mobilizes the bodily resources as a means of preparing for fight or flight

—H. G. Armstrong

3

: to separate (an organ or part) from associated structures so as to make more accessible for operative procedures

4

: to develop to a state of acute activity

ego feeling and ego attitude … mobilize hostile feelings toward others

—Abram Kardiner

intransitive verb

: to undergo mobilization : assemble and organize for action

mobilizable adjective

also British mobilisable

ˈmō-bə-ˌlī-zə-bəl