immobilize

[ih-moh-buh-lahyz]

See more synonyms for immobilize on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object), im·mo·bi·lized, im·mo·bi·liz·ing.

to make immobile or immovable; fix in place.
to prevent the use, activity, or movement of: The hurricane immobilized the airlines.
to deprive of the capacity for mobilization: The troops were immobilized by the enemy.

Medicine/Medical. to prevent, restrict, or reduce normal movement in (the body, a limb, or a joint), as by a splint, cast, or prescribed bed rest.
to render (an opponent's strategy) ineffective; stymie.
Finance.
1. to establish a monetary reserve by withdrawing (specie) from circulation.
2. to create fixed capital in place of (circulating capital).

Also especially British, im·mo·bi·lise.

Origin of immobilize

1870–75; immobile + -ize; see mobilize and compare French immobiliser

Related formsim·mo·bi·li·za·tion, nounim·mo·bi·liz·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for immobilization

restriction, jam, obstruction, restraint, stoppage, binding, leash, stop, delay, confinement, curb, gridlock, lock, limit, hold

Examples from the Web for immobilization

Contemporary Examples of immobilization

There was no immobilization of women in the early Islamic era.
Saudi Olympic Athletes Test Kingdom's Dedication To Gender Apartheid
Qanta Ahmed
August 6, 2012

Historical Examples of immobilization

Immobilization and rest should be maintained for a month or more.
Surgery, with Special Reference to Podiatry
Maximilian Stern
Immobilization of the broken parts of the bone is the object sought.
Lameness of the Horse
John Victor Lacroix
Immobilization—Systemic immobilization is effected by body rest and locally by splinting the bitten area.
Natural History of Cottonmouth Moccasin, Agkistrodon piscovorus (Reptilia)
Ray D. Burkett
In cases of strains of tendons, during the acute stage, immobilization of the affected parts is in order.
Lameness of the Horse
John Victor Lacroix
In fractures of the shaft of the humerus, then, it is apparent that immobilization is very difficult if at all possible.
Lameness of the Horse
John Victor Lacroix

British Dictionary definitions for immobilization

immobilize

immobilise

verb (tr)

to make or become immobileto immobilize a car
finance
1. to remove (specie) from circulation and hold it as a reserve
2. to convert (circulating capital) into fixed capital

Derived Formsimmobilization or immobilisation, nounimmobilizer or immobiliser, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for immobilization

1846, noun of action from immobilize.

immobilize

1843, from immobile + -ize. Cf. French immobiliser (1835). Related: Immobilized; immobilizing.

immobilization in Medicine

immobilize

[ĭ-mō′bə-līz′]

To render immobile.
To fix the position of a joint or fractured limb, as with a splint or cast.

Related formsim•mo′bi•li•za′tion (-lĭ-zā′shən) n.