organize

[ awr-guh-nahyz ]

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.

   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.

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.

organize

/ 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

Other Words From

• organ·iza·ble adjective
• organ·iza·bili·ty noun
• mis·organ·ize verb misorganized misorganizing
• outorgan·ize verb (used with object) outorganized outorganizing
• pre·organ·ize verb preorganized preorganizing
• un·organ·iza·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of organize¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of organize¹

C15: from Medieval Latin organizare, from Latin organum organ

Example Sentences

In a recent complaint, the National Labor Relations Board’s regional office in Los Angeles accused Grindr of interfering with employees’ right to organize and refusing to recognize the union workers had elected to join, calling the company’s actions “serious and substantial unfair labor practice conduct.”

From Los Angeles Times

That is in part because so many local governments are linked to organize crime.

From Los Angeles Times

That was the case in the 1980s, when Adolfo Nodal, who ran the Otis Art Institute in Westlake, helped organize public art projects, a town watch program and a neighborhood council that successfully lobbied the city for better lighting and other services.

From Los Angeles Times

“When we were looking at how we were going to organize the Hispanic vote, we kind of saw that the low-hanging fruit was Hispanic men. They are the most conservative by nature, but yet we vote at a record-low number.”

From Los Angeles Times

“This is a time to roll up our sleeves. This is a time to organize, to mobilize and to stay engaged for the sake of freedom and justice and the future that we all know we can build together.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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