mobilize

American  

[moh-buh-lahyz] / ˈmoʊ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, mobilise

verb (used with object)

mobilized, mobilizing

1. to assemble or marshal (armed forces, military reserves, or civilian persons of military age) into readiness for active service.

2. to organize or adapt (industries, transportation facilities, etc.) for service to the government in time of war.

3. to marshal, bring together, prepare (power, force, wealth, etc.) for action, especially of a vigorous nature.

   to mobilize one's energy.

4. to increase or bring to a full stage of development.

   to mobilize one's anger.

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verb (used without object)

mobilized, mobilizing

1. to be or become assembled, organized, etc., as for war.

   to mobilize for action.

mobilize British  

/ ˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to prepare for war or other emergency by organizing (national resources, the armed services, etc)

2. (tr) to organize for a purpose; marshal

3. (tr) to put into motion, circulation, or use

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Other Word Forms

• mobilizable
  adjective
• mobilization
  noun
• mobilizer
  noun
• overmobilize
  verb
• remobilize
  verb
• unmobilized
  adjective

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."

Example Sentences

Ryan Hampton, the co-founder of the nonprofit Mobilize Recovery, said Wednesday his organization was facing cuts amounting to nearly $500,000 from a multiyear grant.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026

Jose Negrete, a 25-year part-time worker in Anaheim, California, joined Teamsters Mobilize and is voting no.

From Reuters • Aug. 3, 2023

Miller took the opposite view, which the party ultimately followed: Mobilize the white working-class base, among whom turnout had fallen.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 17, 2019

For instance, Mobilize didn’t sign a contract with the DNC until June 8, 2016—well after the March protest in Chicago.

From Time • Oct. 18, 2016

Mobilize the resources of community groups and local businesses to support the program.

From What Works: Schools Without Drugs by Education, United States Department of

Related Words

• assemble
• marshal
• organize
• prepare