Mobilize Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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mobilize

[ˈmoʊbəˌlaɪz ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

military

To prepare and organize troops for active service or deployment.

Synonyms

assemble, deploy, marshal.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mobilize

Used when organizing people or resources for a specific purpose, often in an emergency or large-scale effort.

  • The community mobilized to help clean up after the hurricane.
  • The government mobilized troops to respond to the threat.
deploy

Often used in a military or technological context, referring to the strategic positioning or distribution of forces or resources.

  • The commander decided to deploy the troops along the border.
  • The company will deploy new software updates next week.
assemble

Used when gathering people or items together, usually in a specific place for a particular purpose or event.

  • Everyone was asked to assemble in the main hall for the meeting.
  • They need to assemble all the parts before starting the machine.
marshal

Used when arranging people, thoughts, or resources in an organized and often disciplined manner, typically for a specific goal or purpose.

  • He managed to marshal enough support to pass the new law.
  • The event organizers marshaled the participants into their groups.

Examples of usage

  • During the crisis, the government decided to mobilize the army.
  • The country quickly mobilized its forces in response to the threat.
Context #2 | Verb

society

To bring people together for a common purpose or cause.

Synonyms

galvanize, rally, unite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
mobilize

Use when talking about organizing or preparing people, resources, or equipment for action or movement, particularly in military or disaster response scenarios.

  • The government needed to mobilize the army to assist in the national emergency.
  • Volunteers were mobilized to help with relief efforts after the earthquake.
unite

Use when referring to bringing people together into a single group with a common purpose, emphasizing harmony and cooperation.

  • The event aims to unite different communities in celebration of cultural diversity.
  • They are working to unite all factions within the organization for a common goal.
rally

Suitable for scenarios where people are coming together to support a cause or an effort, often seen in political, social, or sports contexts.

  • The candidate's strong stance on healthcare rallied many supporters.
  • Fans rallied behind their team in the final match.
galvanize

Best for describing a situation where someone or something causes strong action or reaction, usually by making people feel excited or determined. It often carries a positive connotation.

  • Her speech managed to galvanize the community into taking action against pollution.
  • The shocking news galvanized him into finally completing his project.

Examples of usage

  • The community mobilized to support the victims of the natural disaster.
  • The organization was able to mobilize volunteers for the event.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Context

  • During World War I and II, mobilization was critical for nations to prepare their armies for war.
  • Social movements in the 1960s, such as civil rights, effectively mobilized young people to advocate for change.
  • Recent global events, like the COVID-19 pandemic, have seen rapid mobilization of health professionals and resources.

Pop Culture

  • In movies, characters often mobilize groups to fight against a common enemy, showing teamwork and courage.
  • Popular songs like 'We Are the World' represent the idea of mobilizing people for humanitarian efforts.
  • Mobilizing ideas can be found in video games where players must rally forces to overcome challenges.

Psychology

  • Effective mobilization often relies on strong leadership and clear communication to unite people.
  • Social psychologists study how group dynamics can influence the ability to mobilize different populations.
  • Motivation plays a key role in mobilization; knowing why a cause is important can inspire action.

Education

  • In classrooms, teachers mobilize students to work on group projects, fostering collaboration and teamwork.
  • Educational campaigns often aim to mobilize communities to improve local schools and promote learning.
  • Understanding how to mobilize resources can be critical for educators to effectively manage classrooms.

Origin of 'mobilize'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'mobilize' comes from the French 'mobiliser', which means 'to make mobile'.
  • Initially used in military contexts to describe preparing troops for movement.
  • The term has evolved to encompass non-military contexts, such as social movements and community actions.

The word 'mobilize' originated from the Latin word 'mobilis', meaning 'movable' or 'easy to move'. It first appeared in English in the early 19th century, primarily in the context of military operations. Over time, its usage expanded to include organizing and preparing groups of people for various purposes, not just in a military setting.


Word Frequency Rank

At position #13,601, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.