galvanize

verb

gal·​va·​nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz 

galvanized; galvanizing

transitive verb

1

a

: to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically

galvanize a muscle

b

: to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock

an issue that would galvanize public opinion

2

: to coat (iron or steel) with zinc

especially : to immerse in molten zinc to produce a coating of zinc-iron alloy

intransitive verb

: to react as if stimulated by an electric shock

they galvanized into action

galvanization

ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

galvanizer

ˈgal-və-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Did you know?

Luigi Galvani was an Italian physician and physicist who, in the 1770s, studied the electrical nature of nerve impulses by applying electrical stimulation to frogs' leg muscles, causing them to contract. Although Galvani's theory that animal tissue contained an innate electrical impulse was disproven, the French word galvanisme came to describe a current of electricity especially when produced by chemical action. English borrowed the word as galvanism, and shortly after the verb galvanize came to life.

Synonyms

• charge
• electrify
• excite
• exhilarate
• intoxicate
• pump up
• thrill
• titillate
• turn on

Examples of galvanize in a Sentence

The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law.

The website has galvanized support for the project.

a factory where steel is galvanized

Recent Examples on the Web

Obituaries Willie Mays, known for ‘The Catch’ and by many as baseball’s best of the best, dies at 93 June 18, 2024 Brown credits the racial bias against Mays with galvanizing the city into adopting an ordinance forbidding housing discrimination. —George Skelton, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2024

Former President Donald Trump’s felony conviction in his hush money trial could dampen his support among some voters — while galvanizing it among others, new polling reveals. —Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 17 June 2024

And the issue has proven to galvanize Democrats at the polls. —Caitlin Huey-Burns, CBS News, 14 June 2024

With organizers galvanized by the victory in West Virginia, labor actions in states like Oklahoma, Kentucky, North Carolina, Colorado, and Arizona soon followed. —Vox Staff, Vox, 3 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French galvaniser, from Luigi galvani (who conducted pioneering experiments in bioelectricity) + -iser -ize

Note: See note at galvanism.

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

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Kids Definition

galvanize

verb

gal·​va·​nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz 

galvanized; galvanizing

1

a

: to subject to the action of an electric current

galvanize a muscle

b

: to cause excitement or concern and a desire for action in

an issue that galvanized the public

2

: to coat (as iron) with zinc for protection

galvanization

ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

galvanize

transitive verb

gal·​va·​nize

variants or British galvanise

ˈgal-və-ˌnīz 

galvanized or British galvanised; galvanizing or British galvanising

: to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically

galvanize a muscle