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 mobility was on display with many run-pass option and play-action rollout concepts designed around the intent to throw in Saturday’s game. — Nate Atkins, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Someone who has experienced a substantial or unexplained decline in mobility should bring it up with their healthcare provider to see if this is due to a reversible underlying cause. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

The new footage highlights several aspects of the DR02’s mobility. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 14 Aug. 2026

The anemoia is documented, widespread, and functionally economic—as much a psychological symptom of the affordability and mobility gap between generations as a fashion sensibility. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

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