mobilize

American  

[moh-buh-lahyz] / ˈmoʊ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, mobilise

verb (used with object)

• mobilizes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• mobilized,
  past participle,  past
• mobilizing
  present participle

1. to assemble or marshal (armed forces, military reserves, or civilian persons of military age) into readiness for active service.

2. to organize or adapt (industries, transportation facilities, etc.) for service to the government in time of war.

3. to marshal, bring together, prepare (power, force, wealth, etc.) for action, especially of a vigorous nature.

   to mobilize one's energy.

4. to increase or bring to a full stage of development.

   to mobilize one's anger.

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verb (used without object)

• mobilizes,
  present (3rd person singular)
• mobilized,
  past participle,  past
• mobilizing
  present participle

1. to be or become assembled, organized, etc., as for war.

   to mobilize for action.

mobilize British  

/ ˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to prepare for war or other emergency by organizing (national resources, the armed services, etc)

2. (tr) to organize for a purpose; marshal

3. (tr) to put into motion, circulation, or use

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• mobilization
  noun
• mobilizer
  noun
• overmobilize
  verb
• remobilize
  verb
• mobilizable
  adjective
• unmobilized
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• mobilizing
  present
• mobilized
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• mobilize
  simple
• mobilizes
  simple
• have mobilized
  perfect
• has mobilized
  perfect
• am mobilizing
  progressive
• are mobilizing
  progressive
• is mobilizing
  progressive
• have been mobilizing
  perfect progressive
• has been mobilizing
  perfect progressive

Past

• mobilized
  simple
• had mobilized
  perfect
• was mobilizing
  progressive
• were mobilizing
  progressive
• had been mobilizing
  perfect progressive

Future

• will mobilize
  simple
• will have mobilized
  perfect
• will be mobilizing
  progressive
• will have been mobilizing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of mobilize

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from mobilization; see mobile, -ization

Explanation

Use the verb mobilize to describe preparing something — or someone — to spring into action, or to be put into use. You might mobilize the troops, or even your classmates, into action. A busy mother might mobilize her kids to grab their lunches and head out to the bus stop on time, and a detective might mobilize her resources before tracking down a wily criminal. Mobilize literally means "make mobile," and the Latin root is mobilis, "movable, pliable, or flexible."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

mobilize mobilizes mobilized mobilizing

Four days after the Taalas announcement, Nvidia signed preliminary agreements with Apollo, Blackstone, Brookfield, BlackRock, Goldman Sachs and KKR to establish financing platforms intended to mobilize over $500 billion for AI infrastructure.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026

In other words, AFT is advertising the purchasing power it hopes to mobilize against the company.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026

Those photons then mobilize the semiconductor's electric charge carriers.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

It’s not uncommon during large events for the department to mobilize officers from specialized units and others who don’t normally work in the field.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 8, 2026

Hall directed two other Sherpas—Arita and Chuldum—to remain at the tents in support, ready to mobilize in the event of trouble.

From "Into Thin Air" by Jon Krakauer

At its best, liberalism in America focuses attention on the gap between principles and practices and mobilizes public support to close these gaps.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 2, 2026

Development Finance Corporation, a government agency that typically mobilizes capital for investment in developing countries, will provide discounted political risk insurance and guarantees for maritime transit.

From Barron's ● Mar. 5, 2026

For the most part, it preaches to and mobilizes the converted.

From Salon ● Aug. 24, 2025

The American Red Cross Northwest Region mobilizes local volunteers to respond to disasters, trains thousands of people in preparedness and lifesaving skills, and supports retired and active members of our military.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 2024

“Look how El Lider mobilizes the people to protect his causes,” Jorge del Pino told his daughter.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García

Colombians outside the quake zone have mobilized in massive numbers to ease victims' suffering.

From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026

“When that many vulnerable animals arrive before our foster network has fully mobilized, the gap between what a shelter can provide and what neonatal kittens need to survive becomes devastating,” Amster said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

Texans have mobilized across the state to oppose the new developments, airing concerns that the facilities will drain local water supplies, drive up electric bills and cause noise, light and air pollution.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026

However, Spanish law enforcement mobilized a mass-return effort in Ceuta, and by Friday afternoon local time, 48,300 had been sent back to Morocco, according to the Spanish government, with many more en route.

From Slate ● Jul. 31, 2026

Charlie Company was mobilized and sent to back them up.

From "Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam" by Elizabeth Partridge

The group is expected to focus on door-to-door canvassing, digital advertising and direct mail aimed at mobilizing conservative voters who are less likely to participate in non-presidential elections.

From Barron's ● Jul. 30, 2026

Last month, Bass issued orders mandating Lineage remove all food waste within 45 days and mobilizing resources to assist the community.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 29, 2026

Companies are increasingly mobilizing internal groups of AI ‘champions’ as a way to sell their more reluctant colleagues on the technology’s benefits.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 2026

Some older borrowers are mobilizing online in hopes of having their debts wiped out.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

It should synthesize a particular grievance into a succinct and pithy phrase, while mobilizing the people to combat it.

From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela

Related Words

• assemble
• marshal
• organize
• prepare