immobilize

[ ih-moh-buh-lahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, im·mo·bi·lized, im·mo·bi·liz·ing.

1. to make immobile or immovable; fix in place.
2. to prevent the use, activity, or movement of:

   The hurricane immobilized the airlines.

3. to deprive of the capacity for mobilization:

   The troops were immobilized by the enemy.

4. 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.
5. to render (an opponent's strategy) ineffective; stymie.
6. Finance.
   1. to establish a monetary reserve by withdrawing (specie) from circulation.
   2. to create fixed capital in place of (circulating capital).

immobilize

/ ɪˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become immobile

   to immobilize a car

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

Derived Forms

• imˈmobiˌlizer, noun
• imˌmobiliˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• im·mobi·li·zation noun
• im·mobi·lizer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immobilize¹

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

Example Sentences

Other options include altering the soils’ pH to lock away metals or adding extra fertilizer, which can also immobilize potentially toxic elements.

From Science News

A surprising new study finds that spiders can immobilize and then eat snakes up to 30 times their size.

From Science News For Students

There can be no struggles because the immigrant will end up immobilized on the floor with his hands behind his back and a good scare that is not at all necessary.

From Washington Blade

I could see the red light marked on the chest of some of my friends, but there was no need to shoot, because they had already immobilized us all with gas.

From Washington Blade

Cutting off access to money is a quick-and-dirty way to immobilize people, not to mention wreak havoc when it’s done on a large scale.

From Singularity Hub 

They made sure to stabilize and immobilize spines and necks before attempting to move a victim.

From The Daily Beast

You immobilize the elevators—think what that would mean in lower and midtown Manhattan alone.

From Project Gutenberg

Braces and other mechanical appliances intended to immobilize the parts are not of practical benefit in the horse.

From Project Gutenberg

The other part was that he could kill or immobilize anybody in the world—or everybody—from any distance.

From Project Gutenberg

"I'll need a squeeze-cage and a couple of cage boys to help immobilize the brute," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

Even though he'd seen the bony young man immobilize Little Foot, Raoul was surprised.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cripple
• debilitate
• disable
• disarm
• impair
• incapacitate
• mangle
• mutilate
• paralyze
• shatter