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

The movement went global in 1990, after a group of environmental leaders approached Hayes to organize another major campaign for the planet, which mobilized 200 million people in 141 countries. —Solcyré Burga, TIME, 21 Apr. 2024

The Congress party has also tried to mobilize support among Indian Americans with rallies across the U.S., arguing that India cannot afford a third Modi term. —Mithil Aggarwal, NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024

Convincing those disillusioned, often younger, progressive voters to mobilize for Biden again will be one of his campaign’s central challenges this year. —Jess Bidgood, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

The government issued a natural disaster decree in January to mobilize resources in an effort to combat its devastating effects, including wildfires and water stress. —Stefano Pozzebon, CNN, 11 Apr. 2024

Kim Jong Un told a meeting of military officials this week that North Korea will mobilize an overwhelming assault on any hypothetical enemy, ignoring President Biden's requests for cooperation. —Timothy H.j. Nerozzi Fox News, Fox News, 11 Apr. 2024

The incident marks the second time in a week that the campaign revealed divisions in its approach to mobilizing voters for the independent candidate. —Allison Novelo, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024

Biden has leaned on Whitmer to mobilize voters on his behalf in the swing state of Michigan. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 4 Apr. 2024

In anticipation of the storm, Abbott on Sunday mobilized several state entities including the national guard, department of transportation and the Texas A&M Forest Service to prepare for the possible floods, tornadoes and storm damage. —Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 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