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

Example Sentences

Pepys worked in the Navy Office in the City of London during a period of rapid social mobility.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

The study also raises difficult questions about social mobility and public policy.

From Science Daily • May 6, 2026

Many immigrant families, like Alex’s, are initially drawn to the U.S. with aspirations for education access and social mobility.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 11, 2025

"The chancellor's backing for this shovel-ready project will unlock private investment into housing in Thamesmead, and support employment and social mobility," he said.

From BBC • Nov. 20, 2025

The original exemplar of American social mobility was almost certainly Benjamin Franklin, one of seventeen children of a candle maker.

From "Class Matters" by The New York Times