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, immoderacy, immoderate, immoderation, immodest, immokalee

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 immobilize

They made sure to stabilize and immobilize spines and necks before attempting to move a victim.
Amazing Grace in the Bronx: Inside the Metro-North Train-Wreck Rescue|Michael Daly|December 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
You immobilize the elevators—think what that would mean in lower and midtown Manhattan alone.
Day of the Moron|Henry Beam Piper
The latter clawed and bit with a fury which suggested Togi intended to immobilize that weapon by tearing it to shreds.
Storm Over Warlock|Andre Norton
The other part was that he could kill or immobilize anybody in the world—or everybody—from any distance.
The Mightiest Man|Patrick Fahy

In March 1942 the government launched repressive measures in an attempt to immobilize communist activities.
Area Handbook for Bulgaria|Eugene K. Keefe, Violeta D. Baluyut, William Giloane, Anne K. Long, James M. Moore, and Neda A. Walpole
Braces and other mechanical appliances intended to immobilize the parts are not of practical benefit in the horse.
Lameness of the Horse|John Victor Lacroix

British Dictionary definitions for immobilize

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 immobilize

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.