immobilize

[ ih-moh-buh-lahyz ]

/ ɪˈmoʊ bəˌlaɪz /

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.

to establish a monetary reserve by withdrawing (specie) from circulation.
to create fixed capital in place of (circulating capital).

Nearby words

immix, immixture, immobile, immobilism, immobility, immobilize, immobilizer, immoderacy, immoderate, immoderation, immodest

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

Origin of immobilize

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

Related forms

im·mo·bi·li·za·tion, nounim·mo·bi·liz·er, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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|DAILY BEAST
Immobilization of the broken parts of the bone is the object sought.
Lameness of the Horse|John Victor Lacroix
Because of the leverage afforded by the extremity, immobilization of the radius is difficult.
Lameness of the Horse|John Victor Lacroix
Infection would depend almost entirely upon the integrity of the first dressings and immobilization.
Gunshot Roentgenograms|Clyde S. Ford

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
However, reduction and immobilization of this as in all fractures, must be done without delay.
Lameness of the Horse|John Victor Lacroix

British Dictionary definitions for immobilization

immobilize

immobilise

/ (ɪˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz) /

verb (tr)

to make or become immobileto immobilize a car

finance

to remove (specie) from circulation and hold it as a reserve
to convert (circulating capital) into fixed capital

Derived Forms

immobilization 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

Medicine definitions for immobilization

immobilize

[ ĭ-mō′bə-līz′ ]

v.

To render immobile.

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

Related forms

im•mo′bi•li•za′tion (-lĭ-zā′shən) n.