1 immobilization | Definition of immobilization
Logo
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

immobilize

verb
im·​mo·​bi·​lize | \ i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce immobilize (audio) \
immobilized; immobilizing; immobilizes

Definition of immobilize

transitive verb

: to make immobile: such as
a : to prevent freedom of movement or effective use of the planes were immobilized by bad weather
b : to reduce or eliminate motion of (the body or a part) by mechanical means or by strict bed rest
c : to withhold (money or capital) from circulation
Other Words from immobilize Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about immobilize

Keep scrolling for more

Other Words from immobilize

immobilization \ i-​ˌmō-​bə-​lə-​ˈzā-​shən How to pronounce immobilization (audio) \ noun
immobilizer \ i-​ˈmō-​bə-​ˌlī-​zər How to pronounce immobilizer (audio) \ noun

Examples of immobilize in a Sentence

Doctors immobilized her wrist by putting it in a cast. I was immobilized by fear.

Recent Examples on the Web

 Medical soft restraints would be used to immobilize him for blood testing if needed. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "ICE seeks permission to force feed detainee on hunger strike," 21 Aug. 2019 Someone who is immobilized by a fall or an illness can press a button on the transmitter, which sends a signal to a console linked to a home telephone, which in turn automatically dials a central monitoring station. — BostonGlobe.com, "Andrew Dibner, former BU professor who pioneered the medical alert device field, dies at 93," 22 July 2019 Lions trainers immobilized Kearse's leg in an air cast before he was carted off the field. — Dave Birkett, Detroit Free Press, "Matt Patricia: Starting Detroit Lions' Darius Slay in preseason opener was 'no message'," 9 Aug. 2019 Ashley, 32, was immobilized and bedridden for nearly a year but has regained his movement as the neck fracture didn’t sever his nerves, said his lawyer Ron K. Cheng. — oregonlive.com, "Youth pastor who broke neck seeks more than $2 million in damages in suit alleging faulty ‘Bubble Ball’," 25 July 2019 The toe then has to be immobilized so the fracture can heal. — Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "The Photo of This Dude’s Broken Toe Is so Gross—but His Wife Turned It Into the Most Hilarious Thing Ever," 5 June 2019 Cyber attacks immobilized some of the city's systems almost two months ago, WBAL reported, but services such as water billing are still offline. — Kristin Lam, USA TODAY, "Baltimore won't pay hackers' ransom, sets aside $10M in emergency funding to recover from cyberattack," 27 June 2019 Normally, players are immobilized for at least a month before beginning physical therapy. — Mark Medina, The Mercury News, "Kevin Durant officially becomes a free agent," 26 June 2019 Guard from Above, a company in The Hague, Holland, trains bald eagles to hunt down and immobilize drones. — Katy Mclaughlin, WSJ, "The Next Big Privacy Concern Is Up in the Air," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immobilize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of immobilize

1871, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for immobilize

immobilize

verb
How to pronounce immobilize (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of immobilize

: to keep (something or someone) from moving or working : to make (something or someone) immobile

See the full definition for immobilize in the English Language Learners Dictionary

immobilize

verb
im·​mo·​bi·​lize | \ im-ˈō-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce immobilize (audio) \
immobilized; immobilizing

Kids Definition of immobilize

: to keep from moving : make immovable The doctor immobilized her wrist.

immobilize

transitive verb
im·​mo·​bi·​lize
variants: also British immobilise \ im-​ˈō-​bə-​ˌlīz How to pronounce immobilise (audio) \
immobilized also British immobilised; immobilizing also British immobilising

Medical Definition of immobilize

: to make immobile especially : to fix (as a body part) so as to reduce or eliminate motion usually by means of a cast or splint, by strapping, or by strict bed rest immobilizing a fractured bone by a cast and continuous traction immobilize an injury immobilize all patients with a suspected neck or spine injury

Keep scrolling for more

immobilize

transitive verb
im·​mo·​bi·​lize | \ i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz How to pronounce immobilize (audio) \
immobilized; immobilizing

Legal Definition of immobilize

: to make immobile specifically : to turn (movable property) into immovable property (as by incorporating it into a building)

Other Words from immobilize

immobilization \ i-​ˌmō-​bə-​lə-​ˈzā-​shən

WORD OF THE DAY

See Definitions and Examples

Get Word of the Day daily email!