social mobility

American  

[soh-shuhl moh-bil-i-tee] / ˈsoʊ ʃəl moʊˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. Sociology. the movement of people in a population, as from place to place, from job to job, or from one social class or level to another.

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social mobility Cultural  

1. The ability of individuals or groups to move upward or downward in status based on wealth, occupation, education, or some other social variable.

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American society operates on the principle that an individual's achievements can be rewarded by upward social mobility.

Etymology

Origin of social mobility

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

social mobility

These days it's often associated with entrepreneurialism, social mobility and, above all, economic opportunity.

From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026

"And this desire to move is not just physical mobility," it is also "a kind of drive toward economic mobility and above all social mobility," he said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 27, 2026

At the time of the revolution, the U.S. drew ambitious people by offering them rights and legal protections, open markets, abundant land, and social mobility.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 26, 2026

Earlier in the Commons, Sir Keir defended Phillipson and her "incredible story of social mobility and success" after growing up in poverty.

From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026

Hampton’s student body ranged from youngsters taking their family’s first step onto the ladder of social mobility to the scions of the Talented Tenth.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

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