galvanize

American  

[gal-vuh-nahyz] / ˈgæl vəˌnaɪz /

especially British, galvanise

verb (used with object)

galvanized, galvanizing

1. to stimulate by or as if by a galvanic current.

2. Medicine/Medical. to stimulate or treat (muscles or nerves) with induced direct current (distinguished from faradize).

3. to startle into sudden activity; stimulate.

   Synonyms:

   animate, spur, fire, electrify, stir, rouse

4. to coat (metal, especially iron or steel) with zinc.

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galvanize British  

/ ˈɡælvəˌnaɪz /

verb

1. to stimulate to action; excite; startle

2. to cover (iron, steel, etc) with a protective zinc coating by dipping into molten zinc or by electrodeposition

3. to stimulate by application of an electric current

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noun

1. galvanized iron, usually in the form of corrugated sheets as used in roofing

Other Word Forms

• galvanization noun
• galvanizer noun
• nongalvanized adjective
• pregalvanize verb (used with object)
• regalvanization noun
• regalvanize verb (used with object)
• ungalvanized adjective

Etymology

Origin of galvanize

First recorded in 1795–1805; from French galvaniser, named after Luigi Galvani; see -ize

Explanation

The verb galvanize means to stimulate or incite someone into taking action. Your impassioned speech might galvanize the other members of the Ecology Club to start a school-wide recycling initiative. The word galvanize initially meant "to stimulate muscles by administering electric shocks." It was coined to honor the 18th-century scientist Luigi Galvani, who found that a spark could make a frog's legs move. This discovery of "animal electricity" inspired Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, (a novel in which a mad scientist attempts to use electricity to galvanize a monster to life). Galvanize also means to cover steel or iron with zinc so it doesn’t rust.

Example Sentences

Even starting a niche, alternative product can help galvanize broader change, said Jiye Son, the founder and chief executive of Anew, noting that a lot of chemical companies also have cosmetic departments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 18, 2026

"We hope that this study will galvanize efforts to have yeast on board in future space explorations."

From Science Daily • Feb. 8, 2026

“Fear is a powerful motivator, and today we’re seeing how fear can galvanize people into making decisions for their own self-protection,” Brown says.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

The Stonewall uprising helped galvanize the gay rights movement.

From New York Times • Nov. 30, 2024

She had grown up in West Texas, and it was obvious to her that high school football could galvanize a community and help keep it together.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

Related Words

• arouse
• astonish
• energize
• excite
• frighten
• invigorate
• jolt
• motivate
• provoke
• shock
• spur
• startle
• stir
• stun