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

When mobility itself—of the physical, social, and economic sort—depends on making payments to a car company, why would the industry change course? —Patrick George, The Atlantic, 19 Dec. 2025

His resurrection project with Mayfield — a relatively short quarterback with good mobility — helped convince the Panthers and owner David Tepper that Canales could perform similar miracles with Bryce Young. —Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 19 Dec. 2025

Washington's move expanding travel restrictions to include two small Caribbean nations is raising fears of economic disruption in a region where mobility to the United States underpins tourism, education, healthcare and family life. —Sarah Peter, USA Today, 19 Dec. 2025

His mobility and cognition have been terrific. —Rachel Desantis, PEOPLE, 19 Dec. 2025

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