galvanize

American  

[gal-vuh-nahyz] / ˈgæl vəˌnaɪz /

especially British, galvanise

verb (used with object)

galvanized, galvanizing

1. to stimulate by or as if by a galvanic current.

2. Medicine/Medical. to stimulate or treat (muscles or nerves) with induced direct current (distinguished from faradize).

3. to startle into sudden activity; stimulate.

   Synonyms:

   animate, spur, fire, electrify, stir, rouse

4. to coat (metal, especially iron or steel) with zinc.

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galvanize British  

/ ˈɡælvəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to stimulate to action; excite; startle

2. to cover (iron, steel, etc) with a protective zinc coating by dipping into molten zinc or by electrodeposition

3. to stimulate by application of an electric current

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noun

1. galvanized iron, usually in the form of corrugated sheets as used in roofing

Other Word Forms

• galvanization noun
• galvanizer noun
• nongalvanized adjective
• pregalvanize verb (used with object)
• regalvanization noun
• regalvanize verb (used with object)
• ungalvanized adjective

Etymology

Origin of galvanize

First recorded in 1795–1805; from French galvaniser, named after Luigi Galvani; see -ize

Explanation

The verb galvanize means to stimulate or incite someone into taking action. Your impassioned speech might galvanize the other members of the Ecology Club to start a school-wide recycling initiative. The word galvanize initially meant "to stimulate muscles by administering electric shocks." It was coined to honor the 18th-century scientist Luigi Galvani, who found that a spark could make a frog's legs move. This discovery of "animal electricity" inspired Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, (a novel in which a mad scientist attempts to use electricity to galvanize a monster to life). Galvanize also means to cover steel or iron with zinc so it doesn’t rust.

Example Sentences

"We hope that this study will galvanize efforts to have yeast on board in future space explorations."

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

Cheney helped galvanize congressional support for Ronald Reagan’s defense buildup and scored a 90% positive rating from the American Conservative Union.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025

Such a figure could galvanize a broader movement, becoming a powerful symbol for human-AI solidarity.

From Salon • May 17, 2025

The loss of their third-leading scorer seemed to galvanize the Bulldogs the rest of the first half.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2024

Ann quickly found a focus for her housing work that fall, in two incidents that would galvanize the black community in Durham over the next few years.

From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson

Related Words

• arouse
• astonish
• energize
• excite
• frighten
• invigorate
• jolt
• motivate
• provoke
• shock
• spur
• startle
• stir
• stun