mobilize

verb

mo·​bi·​lize ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

mobilized; mobilizing

transitive verb

1

a

: to put into movement or circulation

mobilize financial assets

b

: to release (something stored in the organism) for bodily use

The body mobilizes its antibodies.

2

a(1)

: to bring (people) together for action

mobilized their supporters for the campaign

(2)

: to assemble and make (soldiers, an army, etc.) ready for war

mobilize all reserve forces for overseas duty

b

: to marshal (something, such as resources) for action

mobilize support for a proposal

intransitive verb

: to undergo mobilization

The army can mobilize quickly for a major war.

Synonyms of mobilize

• organize
• summon
• rally
• order

Examples of mobilize in a Sentence

They couldn't mobilize enough support to pass the new law.

Several groups have mobilized to oppose the proposed new law.

They have the ability to mobilize quickly.

The government had to mobilize the army quickly.

More than 10,000 troops were mobilized for war.

Recent Examples on the Web

He was commissioned a militia colonel as the British mobilized off the Georgia coast intent on retaking Savannah. — Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 30 June 2026

Because in the twenty-first century, strategic advantage will belong not only to the nation with the strongest military, but to the nation that can mobilize its economic strength, industrial capacity, and innovative spirit the fastest. — Marc Andersen, Fortune, 30 June 2026

The 2026 midterms hinge on whether this core Democratic coalition mobilizes, rather than focusing on Carlson's uncertain future. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Bass laid out two executive orders on Monday, with the first to urgently mobilize community health resources and expand air quality monitoring. — Austin Turner, CBS News, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1838, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for mobilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

mobilize

verb

mo·​bi·​lize ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

mobilized; mobilizing

: to assemble and make ready for action : marshal

mobilization

ˌmō-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən

noun

Medical Definition

mobilize

verb

mo·​bi·​lize

variants also British mobilise

ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

mobilized also British mobilised; mobilizing also British mobilising

transitive verb

1

: to put into movement or circulation : make mobile

specifically : to release (something stored in the body) for body use

the body mobilizes its antibodies

2

: to assemble (as resources) and make ready for use

the sympathetic nervous system … mobilizes the bodily resources as a means of preparing for fight or flight

—H. G. Armstrong

3

: to separate (an organ or part) from associated structures so as to make more accessible for operative procedures

4

: to develop to a state of acute activity

ego feeling and ego attitude … mobilize hostile feelings toward others

—Abram Kardiner

intransitive verb

: to undergo mobilization : assemble and organize for action

mobilizable adjective

also British mobilisable

ˈmō-bə-ˌlī-zə-bəl