immobile

adjective

im·​mo·​bile (ˌ)i(m)-ˈmō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio)
-ˌbī(-ə)l,
 also  -ˌbēl
1
: not moving : motionless
keep the patient immobile
2
: incapable of being moved : fixed
immobility noun

Examples of immobile in a Sentence

The tranquilizer made the animal immobile. The accident left her immobile.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Another 59-year-old man had lived with unrelenting pain for years and was largely immobile, needing both hips and knees replaced. Tim Botos, USA TODAY, 18 Feb. 2025 The resulting spinal fusion increasingly renders one immobile and, in extreme cases, a person can lose their ability to walk. Meghan Howes, The Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2025 Officers with the Maitland Police Department found the vehicle immobile on the tracks in the suburb with a commuter train about 10 minutes away. Ryan Gaydos, Fox News, 5 Feb. 2025 After remaining immobile for over three decades, the iceberg finally broke free in 2020 and began drifting northward. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 28 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immobile

Word History

Etymology

Middle English in-mobill, from Latin immobilis, from in- + mobilis mobile

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of immobile was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immobile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immobile. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

immobile

adjective
im·​mo·​bile (ˈ)im-ˈ(m)ō-bəl How to pronounce immobile (audio)
-ˌbēl,
-ˌbīl
: unable to move or be moved
immobility noun

Medical Definition

immobile

adjective
1
: incapable of being moved
2
: not moving
keep the patient immobile
immobility noun
plural immobilities

More from Merriam-Webster on immobile

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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