# mobilize

/ˈmoʊbəˌɫaɪz/ (US) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/mobilize
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

to organize people or resources so they are ready to take action. You use this when preparing for a big task, a protest, or a war.

For teachers: to assemble and organize resources, people, or military forces for active service or a specific purpose. Transitive when referring to the act of organizing others; occasionally intransitive when describing a group preparing itself for action.

## Examples

- The charity worked hard to mobilize volunteers for the food drive.
- The community began to mobilize against the new development plan by organizing a series of town hall meetings.
- In response to the sudden economic downturn, the government attempted to mobilize all available fiscal resources to prevent a total collapse of the banking sector.

## Usage notes

- Takes a direct object when an organizer is acting upon a group; can be used without an object to describe a group's own preparation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.