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

This sort of social mobility appeals to Dan Epstein, who is 85. —Gary Robbins, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 May 2024

The old train station, which will include 640,000 square feet of retail, hospitality, community and office spaces, serves as the centerpiece of Ford's mobility district in the area. —Dana Afana, Detroit Free Press, 8 May 2024

Thompson added that the document also looks at mobility and circulation patterns, access to regional transportation, environmental impacts and the need for employment and other opportunities. —Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 7 May 2024

Suddenly people were living in monocultural urban areas, where workers were separated from their place of residence, leading to acute problems of mobility and social isolation. —Carlos Moreno, Fortune, 7 May 2024

For her most recent appearance in 2023, Jenner turned heads in a skin-baring Haider Ackermann gown that required very specific instructions from the designer restricting Jenner’s mobility in the dress. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 7 May 2024

Plans for the inclusive park include accessible slides, swings and other playground equipment so that all ― including those who use mobility devices like wheelchairs and those with neurological or developmental conditions ― can play together. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 6 May 2024

Stretching should focus on hip mobility and lower back in preparation for pain that often develops in the third trimester. —Tiffany Eve Lawrence, Parents, 3 May 2024

With control over the full software stack, integrating mobility with high-level planning, decision making, and mission execution, Agha says that the potential to take advantage of relatively inexpensive robots is what’s going to make the biggest difference toward Field AI’s commercial success. —IEEE Spectrum, 30 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mobility

• micro-mobility
• mobility scooter
• upward mobility