mobilize

American

[moh-buh-lahyz] / ˈmoʊ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, mobilise

verb (used with object)

mobilized, mobilizing

to assemble or marshal (armed forces, military reserves, or civilian persons of military age) into readiness for active service.
to organize or adapt (industries, transportation facilities, etc.) for service to the government in time of war.
to marshal, bring together, prepare (power, force, wealth, etc.) for action, especially of a vigorous nature.

to mobilize one's energy.
to increase or bring to a full stage of development.

to mobilize one's anger.

verb (used without object)

mobilized, mobilizing

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

to mobilize for action.

mobilize British

/ ˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

to prepare for war or other emergency by organizing (national resources, the armed services, etc)
(tr) to organize for a purpose; marshal
(tr) to put into motion, circulation, or use

"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

Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of mobilize

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"That's why we are here, that's why people decided to mobilize for this and decided to donate."

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

"Our strong army depends on our strong economy, because all of our resources, which we mobilize internally, we channel... to defend our nation," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Unilateral action can be rationalized as acting because it is too cumbersome to mobilize allies whose interests do not align with one’s own.

From Salon • Mar. 14, 2026

Its vast merchant fleet and logistics industry play dual roles supporting the People’s Liberation Army’s ability to mobilize and carry domestic factory production to shoppers worldwide.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 13, 2026

In November 2004 she learned of a school redistricting plan and shook her e-mail chain to mobilize opposition.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023