organize

verb

or·​ga·​nize ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz How to pronounce organize (audio)
organized; organizing

transitive verb

1
: to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole : integrate
trying to organize her thoughts
2
a
: to set up an administrative structure for
organize a company to manufacture his invention
b
: to persuade to associate in an organization
especially : unionize
organize the white-collar workers
3
: to arrange by systematic planning and united effort
organize a tour of the campus for the new students
4
: to cause to develop an organic structure

intransitive verb

1
: to undergo physical or organic organization
a clot organized in the femoral vein
2
: to arrange elements into a whole of interdependent parts
began organizing for a victory celebration
3
: to form an organization
specifically : to form or persuade workers to join a union
workers had the right to organize
organizable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for organize

order, arrange, marshal, organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other.

order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

Examples of organize in a Sentence

They hired a professional to help organize their wedding. We are organizing a fund-raiser. His office is a mess. He needs someone to help him organize his work. I spent some time organizing my closet last weekend. You need to learn to organize better. She organized people to work for social justice. The players were organized into separate teams. He encouraged them to organize for social justice. The company has tried to prevent the workers from organizing.
Recent Examples on the Web Elijah's uncle, Orson Vue, told WDJT that the family has been drained by the search effort but have been touched to see strangers organize searches for the toddler. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 19 Mar. 2024 Acher and fellow member Gregg Simon discussed the idea of starting a committee and brought it to Jeremy Kagan, the DGA’s longtime chair of special projects, which organizes educational and cultural programming for the guild. Rebecca Sun, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Mar. 2024 Aside from the Fantastic Galas that took place, sales agents organized special market screenings with the presence of cast and crew in some cases. Anna Marie De La Fuente, Variety, 18 Mar. 2024 Since 2009, The Arizona Republic has organized the competition for the Arizona Wine Growers Association, a nonprofit that works to benefit the state’s growing industry. Georgann Yara, The Arizona Republic, 18 Mar. 2024 Seeing their city shrinking, many Haitians in this region and beyond have organized among themselves in a vigilante movement known as bwa kale. Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 18 Mar. 2024 Moreover, her dedication to her faith is evident through her role as a Eucharistic Minister and her efforts in organizing events such as the Our Lady of Guadalupe Night for her local parish. The Courier-Journal, 18 Mar. 2024 The event at the Dayton International Airport was organized by Buckeye Values PAC, an outside group supporting Moreno's campaign. Haley Bemiller, The Enquirer, 16 Mar. 2024 Brent Stonefish, a Lenape language coordinator for a community in Ontario, Canada, helped organize the letter, which is signed by the chiefs of the Ramapough Munsee Lenape Nation in New Jersey; the Munsee-Delaware Nation in Ontario; and the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape Tribal Nation, also in New Jersey. Marc Tracy, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'organize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of organize was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Organize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organize. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

organize

verb
or·​ga·​nize ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz How to pronounce organize (audio)
organized; organizing
1
: to make separate parts into one united whole : form or form into an organization
2
: to put into order : systematize
organize your work
organizer noun

Medical Definition

organize

verb
or·​ga·​nize
variants also British organise
organized also British organised; organizing also British organising

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to develop an organic structure
b
: to cause to undergo organization
an organized blood clot
2
: to arrange or form into a coherent unit or functioning whole

intransitive verb

: to undergo organization
an organizing pneumonitis

Legal Definition

organize

verb
or·​ga·​nize
organized; organizing

transitive verb

1
a
: to set up an administrative structure for
b
: to persuade to associate in an organization (as a union)
2
: to arrange by systematic planning and united effort
organize a strike

intransitive verb

: to form an organization
especially : to form or persuade workers to join a union

More from Merriam-Webster on organize

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