galvanize

[ gal-vuh-nahyz ]

verb (used with object)

, gal·va·nized, gal·va·niz·ing.

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 ( 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.

galvanize

/ 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

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˈgalvaˌnizer, noun
• ˌgalvaniˈzation, noun

Other Words From

• galva·ni·zation noun
• galva·nizer noun
• non·galva·nized adjective
• pre·galva·nize verb (used with object) pregalvanized pregalvanizing
• regal·va·ni·zation noun
• re·galva·nize verb (used with object) regalvanized regalvanizing
• un·galva·nized adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of galvanize¹

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

Example Sentences

He watched as the whole of Hawaii seemed to galvanize around them and boys emulated them, promising their friends they would be the next Marcus or Tua someday.

From Los Angeles Times

"A lot of people feel just totally helpless, like, what have we been doing? Why? Why can not even this galvanize change?"

From Salon

The hope was to galvanize non-partisan voters to not only vote in favor of abortion access but also vote for the Democrats down the ticket.

From Salon

“He galvanized the fan base with the Fernandomania season of 1981 and has remained close to our hearts ever since, not only as a player but also as a broadcaster.”

From Los Angeles Times

The concert series, which rolled through five swing states in a distinctive purple bus, aimed to galvanize an estimated 4 million crypto owners into a unified political force before the 2024 election.

From Salon

Related Words

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