mobility

noun

mo·​bil·​i·​ty mō-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being mobile or movable

… its efforts were supported by the cavalry which … compensated for the infantry's lack of mobility.

—R. M. Ogorkiewicz

… it becomes cost-effective and socially advantageous to provide urban mobility by means of metros: urban rail mass transit systems on exclusive rights-of-way.

—Michael A Niedzielski et al.

: ability or capacity to move

… the physical challenges of vision loss, hearing loss, and reduced mobility.

—Vicki Bloom and Benjamin B. Green-Field

When large doses of steroids restored mobility, they also created irritability, insatiable appetite, and facial hair …

—Whitney Scott

2

: the ability to change one's social or socioeconomic position in a community and especially to improve it

A large body of academic research shows that inequality and lack of social mobility hurt not just those at the bottom; they hurt everyone.

—Rana Foroohar

The mythology of the American Dream has made it difficult to start a serious conversation about how to create more opportunity in our society, since many of us still believe that our mobility is the result of our elbow grease and nothing more.

—Rana Foroohar

see also upward mobility

Examples of mobility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pacers have done a good job spotting him into sections of games where physicality is required and mobility is optional, but his best fit is as a third center. —John Hollinger, New York Times, 21 June 2025

The resulting vehicle incorporates the company’s vision of mobility in 2050, where instinct, technology and the natural environment move in sync. —Peter Lyon, Forbes.com, 21 June 2025

California policymakers’ are advancing a radical strategy to take away our freedom of mobility and force public transportation on working families. —John Franklin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 June 2025

Stretching your hammies, as well as other muscles in your legs, butt, and back, can improve your overall flexibility, which will, in turn, help boost joint mobility and reduce back pain and stiffness. —Katie Camero, SELF, 20 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mobility

• micro-mobility
• mobility scooter
• upward mobility

Rhymes for mobility

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility