mobilize
Americanverb (used with object)
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mobilizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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mobilized,
past participle, past
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mobilizing
present participle
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to assemble or marshal (armed forces, military reserves, or civilian persons of military age) into readiness for active service.
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to organize or adapt (industries, transportation facilities, etc.) for service to the government in time of war.
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to marshal, bring together, prepare (power, force, wealth, etc.) for action, especially of a vigorous nature.
to mobilize one's energy.
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to increase or bring to a full stage of development.
to mobilize one's anger.
verb (used without object)
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mobilizes,
present (3rd person singular)
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mobilized,
past participle, past
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mobilizing
present participle
verb
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to prepare for war or other emergency by organizing (national resources, the armed services, etc)
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(tr) to organize for a purpose; marshal
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(tr) to put into motion, circulation, or use
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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mobilizationnoun
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mobilizernoun
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overmobilizeverb
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remobilizeverb
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mobilizableadjective
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unmobilizedadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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mobilizesimple
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mobilizessimple
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have mobilizedperfect
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has mobilizedperfect
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am mobilizingprogressive
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are mobilizingprogressive
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is mobilizingprogressive
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have been mobilizingperfect progressive
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has been mobilizingperfect progressive
Past
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mobilizedsimple
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had mobilizedperfect
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was mobilizingprogressive
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were mobilizingprogressive
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had been mobilizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of mobilize
First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from mobilization; see mobile, -ization
Explanation
Use the verb mobilize to describe preparing something — or someone — to spring into action, or to be put into use. You might mobilize the troops, or even your classmates, into action. A busy mother might mobilize her kids to grab their lunches and head out to the bus stop on time, and a detective might mobilize her resources before tracking down a wily criminal. Mobilize literally means "make mobile," and the Latin root is mobilis, "movable, pliable, or flexible."
Vocabulary lists containing mobilize
World War II
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March: Book Three
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Because They Marched
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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.
See Examples For:
Four days after the Taalas announcement, Nvidia signed preliminary agreements with Apollo, Blackstone, Brookfield, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and KKR to establish financing platforms intended to mobilize over $500 billion for AI infrastructure.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
Those photons then mobilize the semiconductor's electric charge carriers.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026
Optimism was fueled by the government’s pledge last year to mobilize more than $1 trillion for defense and infrastructure spending.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 7, 2026
As Talarico pursues potential crossover voters, he’ll also need to mobilize Black Texans, among whom Crockett is an influential leader.
From Salon ● Jun. 25, 2026
To do this sort of work, Jones and Allen had to mobilize an army of helpers.
From "An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793" by Jim Murphy
Development Finance Corporation, a government agency that typically mobilizes capital for investment in developing countries, will provide discounted political risk insurance and guarantees for maritime transit.
From Barron's ● Mar. 5, 2026
Society mobilizes that power for collective ends, creating conflict between individuals, inside groups and between different groups.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
For the most part, it preaches to and mobilizes the converted.
From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2025
The lawsuits, filed by Rise Inc., a liberal group that mobilizes young voters, and the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin, are expected to go to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.
From Seattle Times ● Feb. 9, 2024
“Look how El Lider mobilizes the people to protect his causes,” Jorge del Pino told his daughter.
From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García
Thousands of army, police and paramilitary forces have been mobilized for search and rescue operations in Nepal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Texans have mobilized across the state to oppose the new developments, airing concerns that the facilities will drain local water supplies, drive up electric bills and cause noise, light and air pollution.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026
Instead, the conflict has emboldened Iran’s leaders and mobilized their supporters.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 8, 2026
However, Spanish law enforcement mobilized a mass-return effort in Ceuta, and by Friday afternoon local time, 48,300 had been sent back to Morocco, according to the Spanish government, with many more en route.
From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026
“We have mobilized a million men. Quick victory is ours if the war comes...”
From "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury
As the government focused on its next step, foreign relief organizations were mobilizing to the earthquake zone to help survivors.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
The group is expected to focus on door-to-door canvassing, digital advertising and direct mail aimed at mobilizing conservative voters who are less likely to participate in non-presidential elections.
From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026
Last month, Bass issued orders mandating Lineage remove all food waste within 45 days and mobilizing resources to assist the community.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026
Some older borrowers are mobilizing online in hopes of having their debts wiped out.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026
“Lawrence was particularly vociferous about the need for mobilizing all scientific talent for the uranium program,” he wrote.
From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik
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.
