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organize

[awr-guh-nahyz]
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verb (used with object), or·gan·ized, or·gan·iz·ing.
  1. to form as or into a whole consisting of interdependent or coordinated parts, especially for united action: to organize a committee.
  2. to systematize: to organize the files of an office.
  3. to give organic structure or character to: Cells become differentiated and organized into tissues.
  4. to enlist or attempt to enlist into a labor union: to organize workers.
  5. to enlist the employees of (a company) into a labor union; unionize: to organize a factory.
  6. Informal. to put (oneself) in a state of mental competence to perform a task: We can't have any slip-ups, so you'd better get organized.
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verb (used without object), or·gan·ized, or·gan·iz·ing.
  1. to combine in an organized company, party, or the like.
  2. to form a labor union: Management resisted all efforts to organize.
  3. to assume organic structure.
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Also especially British, or·gan·ise.

Origin of organize

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin organizāre to contrive, arrange, equivalent to organ(um) organ + -izāre -ize
Related formsor·gan·iz·a·ble, adjectiveor·gan·iz·a·bil·i·ty, nounmis·or·gan·ize, verb, mis·or·gan·ized, mis·or·gan·iz·ing.out·or·gan·ize, verb (used with object), out·or·gan·ized, out·or·gan·iz·ing.pre·or·gan·ize, verb, pre·or·gan·ized, pre·or·gan·iz·ing.un·or·gan·iz·a·ble, adjective

Synonyms

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1. dispose, frame. 2. order.

Antonyms

1. destroy.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for organize

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • These are the creators of Fashion, which is an attempt to organize beauty of behavior.

    Essays, Second Series

    Ralph Waldo Emerson

  • Nevertheless, he failed completely to organize a branch at Berlin.

  • We have seen how it can preach war and resistance, and can organize that war and resistance.

  • Or shall I help you organize so as to develop this hot country for America?

    The Forbidden Trail

    Honor Willsie

  • The skilled consumer will organize his skill and deal with the people he wants.

British Dictionary definitions for organize

organize

organise

verb
  1. to form (parts or elements of something) into a structured whole; coordinate
  2. (tr) to arrange methodically or in order
  3. (tr) to provide with an organic structure
  4. (tr) to enlist (the workers) of (a factory, concern, or industry) in a trade union
  5. (intr) to join or form an organization or trade union
  6. (tr) informal to put (oneself) in an alert and responsible frame of mind
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Word Origin

C15: from Medieval Latin organizare, from Latin organum organ
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

Word Origin and History for organize

v.

early 15c., "construct, establish," from Middle French organiser and directly from Medieval Latin organizare, from Latin organum "instrument, organ" (see organ). Related: Organized; organizing.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
organize in Medicine

organize

(ôr′gə-nīz′)
v.
  1. To put together into an orderly, functional, structured whole.
  2. To arrange in a coherent form.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.