organize

American  

[awr-guh-nahyz] / ˈɔr gəˌnaɪz /

especially British, organise

verb (used with object)

organized, organizing

1. to form as or into a whole consisting of interdependent or coordinated parts, especially for united action.

   to organize a committee.

   Synonyms:

   frame, dispose

   Antonyms:

   destroy

2. to systematize.

   to organize the files of an office.

   Synonyms:

   order

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)

organized, organizing

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.

organize British  

/ ˈɔːɡəˌnaɪz /

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. informal (tr) to put (oneself) in an alert and responsible frame of mind

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Other Word Forms

• misorganize
  verb
• organizability
  noun
• organizable
  adjective
• outorganize
  verb (used with object)
• preorganize
  verb
• unorganizable
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of organize

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Medieval Latin organizāre “to contrive, arrange,” equivalent to organ(um) organ + -izāre -ize

Explanation

If you systematically put something in order, you organize it. Your family might not understand the way you organize your kitchen if you keep shoelaces, dental floss, and a screwdriver in your silverware drawer. The verb organize also means to plan or orchestrate something. If you've agreed to organize the German club's bake sale, you'll probably spend some serious time transporting cupcakes and linzer torte to school. When a group of workers forms a union, this action is also described with the verb organize. The International Ladies Garment Workers Union, for example, was organized in 1900 in New York City by immigrant factory workers.

Example Sentences

As a one-term Congresswoman from Oregon, she was one of only three Republicans in 2023 to co-sponsor the pro-union Protecting the Right to Organize Act, a cornerstone of President Joe Biden’s agenda.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Organize your storage by placing newer items at the back and older ones up front for easy access.

From Salon • Oct. 10, 2024

Organize a scavenger hunt in your backyard or a local park.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 5, 2024

Organize your fridge and pantry so you can see what you have, and avoid tossing items that you just didn’t remember were there.

From Washington Times • Jul. 11, 2023

“And how would you do that, exactly? Organize everything, I mean.”

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss

Related Words

• construct
• coordinate
• create
• establish
• form
• formulate
• regulate
• run
• set up