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

For the past two years, the Oscar winner has dealt with an undisclosed health issue that has left her with mobility issues and difficulties with her speech. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024

Overall Effectiveness: Honest Paws Mobility Oil is known for its overall effectiveness in supporting joint health and mobility in dogs. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

About $139 million of that total is directly linked to mobility during the Olympics. —Rachel Uranga, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024

Cart-Style Grills Similar in performance, cooking area, and versatility to the barrel style, cart-style grills like the Char-Griller Classic Charcoal Grill are typically rectangular in shape attached to a cart for easy mobility. —Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2024

Use This Time To Be Strategic HR leaders aren’t putting strategies on hold—employee engagement, mobility and reskilling efforts are in high gear. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Michael Maye, a CFP in Gillette, New Jersey, notes that his clients who’ve seen parents go through long-term care or health issues are more likely to consider future mobility when planning their retirement. —Kate Ashford Of Nerdwallet, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2024

After relying on the contraption for about three months, Barnaby’s scooter was removed in February and he’s seen lots of progress with his mobility, according to zoo officials. —Jennifer Rodriguez, Kansas City Star, 25 Mar. 2024

The station is the centerpiece of Michigan Central, a 30-acre innovation campus focused on mobility solutions and tech skills. —Detroit Free Press Staff, Detroit Free Press, 24 Mar. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mobility

• micro-mobility
• mobility scooter
• upward mobility