social mobility

American  

[soh-shuhl moh-bil-i-tee] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl moʊˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. Sociology. the movement of people in a population, as from place to place, from job to job, or from one social class or level to another.

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social mobility Cultural  

1. The ability of individuals or groups to move upward or downward in status based on wealth, occupation, education, or some other social variable.

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American society operates on the principle that an individual's achievements can be rewarded by upward social mobility.

Etymology

Origin of social mobility

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social mobility

"Europe is associated, in young people's minds, with success and upward social mobility," she said, adding that social media played a key "amplifying role".

From Barron's ● Aug. 15, 2026

That everyone can improve their life through hard work is a core US belief, despite a fierce debate over whether limitless social mobility is dead, dying -- or never existed at all.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

At the time of the revolution, the U.S. drew ambitious people by offering them rights and legal protections, open markets, abundant land, and social mobility.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

The study also raises difficult questions about social mobility and public policy.

From Science Daily ● May 6, 2026

After the Civil War and during the Reconstruction era, the federal government had opened jobs to blacks, providing social mobility particularly for those from educated backgrounds.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly