mobilize

American  

[moh-buh-lahyz] / ˈmoʊ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, mobilise

verb (used with object)

mobilized, mobilizing

1. to assemble or marshal (armed forces, military reserves, or civilian persons of military age) into readiness for active service.

2. to organize or adapt (industries, transportation facilities, etc.) for service to the government in time of war.

3. to marshal, bring together, prepare (power, force, wealth, etc.) for action, especially of a vigorous nature.

   to mobilize one's energy.

4. to increase or bring to a full stage of development.

   to mobilize one's anger.

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verb (used without object)

mobilized, mobilizing

1. to be or become assembled, organized, etc., as for war.

   to mobilize for action.

mobilize British  

/ ˈməʊbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to prepare for war or other emergency by organizing (national resources, the armed services, etc)

2. (tr) to organize for a purpose; marshal

3. (tr) to put into motion, circulation, or use

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Other Word Forms

• mobilizable adjective
• mobilization noun
• mobilizer noun
• overmobilize verb
• remobilize verb
• unmobilized adjective

Etymology

Origin of mobilize

First recorded in 1830–40; back formation from mobilization; mobile, -ization

Example Sentences

"That's why we are here, that's why people decided to mobilize for this and decided to donate."

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

The Church of Scotland was the “only institution,” Mr. Mierowsky writes, “able to mobilize national opposition to incorporation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 18, 2026

"Our strong army depends on our strong economy, because all of our resources, which we mobilize internally, we channel... to defend our nation," he says.

From BBC • Mar. 15, 2026

Tehran could also mobilize paramilitary groups it cultivated in the region, including Iraqi militias and Yemen’s Houthis, Talé added.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 28, 2026

The movement was also dubbed the Twitter Revolution, because protesters used the social networking site to mobilize and communicate with each other.

From "Americanized" by Sara Saedi

Related Words

• assemble
• marshal
• organize
• prepare