mobility
Americannoun
-
the ability to move physically
a knee operation has restricted his mobility
mobility is part of physical education
-
sociol (of individuals or social groups) movement within or between classes and occupations See also vertical mobility horizontal mobility
-
time that a resident of a secure unit is allowed to spend outside the unit, as preparation for an eventual return to society
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of mobility
First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English mobilite, from Latin mōbilitās. See mobile, -ity
Compare meaning
How does mobility compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
Mobility is the ability to move freely. If your basketball injury causes you to lose mobility in your knee, that means you can’t move it very well. Mobility often refers to whether you can move an injured body part, like a joint or a limb, but it can also describe movement in general. If you have great mobility on the tennis court, that means you move freely and easily, running down shots with ease. Mobility can also describe movement between different social or economic levels. Your fancy new job may offer opportunities for upward mobility.
Vocabulary lists containing mobility
Human Geography - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Human Geography - High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Out of My Mind
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The figures were compiled by S&P Global Mobility and reported by Bloomberg.
From Los Angeles Times • May 5, 2026
Uber said it is working with Hertz-affiliate Oro Mobility to advance its robo-taxi and traditional ride-hailing fleet.
From Barron's • Apr. 30, 2026
The weapon is the Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, each of which can fire six rockets or one missile at ranges of up to 185 miles.
From Slate • Apr. 24, 2026
When Covid spread in early 2020, he made short bets worth about $1 billion on companies he knew were tight on cash, like auto rental firm Europcar Mobility Group.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026
Mobility, reinvention, identity: These themes are central to the American story, and, in fact, were threaded through the literature I read in Lou Volpe’s classroom.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
