mobile

adjective mo·bile \ ˈmō-bəl , -ˌbī-əl also -ˌbēl \

|Updated on: 23 Jun 2018

Examples: mobile in a Sentence

Definition of mobile

1 : capable of moving or being moved : movable

a mobile missile launcher

a mobile laboratory

2 a : changeable in appearance, mood, or purpose

mobile face

b : adaptable, versatile

an organization mobile enough to be able to cope with any emergency

3 : migratory

a mobile society of nomadic herders

4 a : characterized by the mixing of social groups

the general confusion in moral standards which characterizes mobile societies
—E. R. Mowrer

b : having the opportunity for or undergoing a shift in status within the levels of a society

socially mobile workers

5 : marked by the use of vehicles for transportation

mobile warfare

6 : of or relating to a mobile

A mobile art work hung from the ceiling.

7 : cellular 3

a mobile phone

—

mobility

play \mō-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

See mobile defined for English-language learners

See mobile defined for kids

Examples of mobile in a Sentence

Their armies are now fully mobile.
a mobile kitchen that helps bring food to homeless people

Recent Examples of mobile from the Web

Want the FOX News Rundown sent straight to your mobile device?

— Fox News, "FOX NEWS FIRST: Strzok escorted from FBI building, but still on payroll; Unruly Dems heckle Trump over immigration," 20 June 2018
Even subscription services like Netflix now offer vertical video for mobile devices.

— louise matsakis, WIRED, "With IGTV, Instagram Takes Aim at YouTube," 20 June 2018
There are also mobile device charging spots around the stage area.

— bill glauber, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Summerfest's new U.S. Cellular Connection Stage features charging stations and a really big video screen," 19 June 2018
Lake Bluff train station users will soon have the option to pay for parking with a mobile device as the village has entered into a new arrangement with a parking vendor.

— daniel i. dorfman, chicagotribune.com, "Lake Bluff approves mobile app parking pass technology for train station lot," 19 June 2018
But these days around 80% of 911 calls come from cellphones, and even though mobile devices are capable of transmitting their location, that information isn’t available to 911 dispatchers.

— hallie detrick, Fortune, "Cellphone Calls to 911 Can Be Catastrophically Bad. Apple Has a Plan to Fix Them.," 18 June 2018
This would need to be done within 15 minutes of authenticating a request via the internet or a mobile device.

— NBC News, "Credit freezes will soon be free for everyone," 14 June 2018
Each of Sophie’s guests were able to take a bit of the circus home via gift bags stuffed with PawdPet mobile-device holders, Munchkin snack holders and sippy cups — all customized with Mabel’s Labels.

— jen juneau, PEOPLE.com, "The Greatest Bash on Earth! Jessica Hall Throws a Circus-Themed Birthday Party for Her Daughter," 13 June 2018
Bring in your iPad or a mobile device and our experts will assist.

— San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco Chronicle newsroom tour," 12 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'mobile.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of mobile

Middle English mobyll, from Anglo-French moble, from Latin mobilis, from movēre to move

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

mobile Synonyms

mobile

noun mo·bile \ ˈmō-ˌbēl \

Definition of mobile

1 : a construction or sculpture frequently of wire and sheet metal shapes with parts that can be set in motion by air currents; also : a similar structure (as of paper or plastic) suspended so that it moves in a current of air

2 British : cell phone, mobile phone

See mobile defined for English-language learners

Examples of mobile in a Sentence

They hung a mobile over the baby's bed.
Even if I'm out of the office you can reach me on my mobile.

Recent Examples of mobile from the Web

Many of them are looking to shop brands and products that are 'free of' and Sephora is responding to help them do that, easily and conveniently in-store, online, and on mobile.

— marci robin, Allure, "Sephora Is Launching a Clean Beauty Category That's Free of Certain Unwanted Ingredients," 11 May 2018
But a check of smartphones that use the AT&T and Verizon mobile networks found those to be still working at midafternoon.

— dwight silverman, Houston Chronicle, "T-Mobile voice, data service down in Houston," 8 May 2018
Moynihan noted that amid the cost-cutting the bank continues to invest heavily in areas such as new mobile-banking services for customers.

— deon roberts, charlotteobserver, "Bank of America soars to record profit after tax overhaul | Charlotte Observer," 16 Apr. 2018
Gradall Industries constructs excavators, industrial mobile vacuums and sweepers, and firefighting equipment, according to the company’s website.

— rye druzin, San Antonio Express-News, "Subsidiary of Seguin-based Alamo Group ends strike," 6 Apr. 2018
Google Maps launched in 2005, and became available on mobile in 2007.

— julie beck, The Atlantic, "How Digital Maps Have Changed What It Means to Be Lost," 23 Feb. 2018
The police department used drug forfeiture money to purchase a Meggitt mobile training simulator at a cost of about $90,000.

— sue kiesewetter, Cincinnati.com, "Simulator trains officers on use of deadly force," 31 Jan. 2018
Jiang, who also goes by Douglas, didn’t respond to multiple requests for comment sent to his WeChat account and phone, while calls to his mobile went unanswered.

— BostonGlobe.com, "N.H. panel upholds denial of Northern Pass project," 25 May 2018
From the ceiling in her office hung an assortment of lifelike birds—a black woodpecker; a white owl, wings outstretched; a mobile of delicate hummingbirds.

— brett martin, Outside Online, "Katie Lee, Our Lady of Glen Canyon," 24 May 2018

Origin and Etymology of mobile

see ¹mobile

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1937

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

-mobile

noun combining form

Definition of -mobile

1 : motorized vehicle

snowmobile

2 : automotive vehicle bringing services to the public

bloodmobile

bookmobile

Origin and Etymology of -mobile

automobile

Mobile

geographical name Mo·bile \ mō-ˈbēl , ˈmō-ˌbēl \

Definition of Mobile

1 river 38 miles (61 kilometers) long in southwestern Alabama formed by the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers and flowing south into Mobile Bay (an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico)

2 city and port at the point where the Mobile River enters Mobile Bay in southwestern Alabama population 195,111

MOBILE Defined for English Language Learners

mobile

adjective

Definition of mobile for English Language Learners

: able to move from one place to another
: able to move with the use of vehicles (such as trucks and airplanes)
: able to be moved

mobile

noun

Definition of mobile for English Language Learners

: a work of art or a decoration that is hung from above and that has attached shapes or figures that move easily in the air

MOBILE Defined for Kids

mobile

adjective mo·bile \ ˈmō-bəl , -ˌbēl , -ˌbīl \

Definition of mobile for Students

1 : easily moved : movable

mobile television cameras

2 : changing quickly in expression

The man had a mobile, passionate face …
—Esther Forbes, Johnny Tremain

mobile

noun mo·bile \ ˈmō-ˌbēl \

Definition of mobile for Students

: an artistic structure whose parts can be moved especially by air currents

Medical Dictionary

mobile

adjective mo·bile \ ˈmō-bəl , -ˌbīl \

medical Definition of mobile

1 : capable of moving or being moved about readily

globular proteins that are mobile and rod-shaped proteins that form solid structures

the tongue…is clearly the most mobile articulator
—G. A. Miller

2 : characterized by an extreme degree of fluidity

ether and mercury are mobile liquids

—

mobility

play \mō-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun, plural -ties

Learn More about mobile

See words that rhyme with mobile Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mobile Spanish Central: Translation of mobile Nglish: Translation of mobile for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of mobile for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mobile

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mobile

Definition of mobile

mobility

Examples of mobile in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mobile from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mobile

mobile Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Near Antonyms

Related Words

mobile

Definition of mobile

Examples of mobile in a Sentence

Recent Examples of mobile from the Web

Origin and Etymology of mobile

-mobile

Definition of -mobile

Origin and Etymology of -mobile

Mobile

Definition of Mobile

Phrases Related to MOBILE

Related Phrases

MOBILE Defined for English Language Learners

mobile

Definition of mobile for English Language Learners

mobile

Definition of mobile for English Language Learners

MOBILE Defined for Kids

mobile

Definition of mobile for Students

mobile

Definition of mobile for Students

Medical Dictionary

mobile

medical Definition of mobile

mobility

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