immobilize

verb

im·​mo·​bi·​lize i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

immobilized; immobilizing; immobilizes

transitive verb

: to make immobile: such as

a

: to reduce or eliminate motion of (the body or a part) by mechanical means or by strict bed rest

b

: to prevent freedom of movement or effective use of

the planes were immobilized by bad weather

c

: to withhold (money or capital) from circulation

immobilization

i-ˌmō-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

immobilizer

i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Synonyms

• cripple
• disable
• hamstring
• incapacitate
• paralyze
• prostrate

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

Only one of the prongs connected to Whitfield, so he wasn’t immobilized. —Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 4 Dec. 2024

Doolittle also alleges there were a number of turkeys who were immobilized and unable to access food and water. —Kenny Torrella, Vox, 26 Nov. 2024

While many New Yorkers had trouble getting out of bed last Wednesday, not everyone in the city was immobilized by the election results. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 15 Nov. 2024

While waiting for help, keep the bite area immobilized and elevated. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 25 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

immobilize

verb

im·​mo·​bi·​lize im-ˈō-bə-ˌlīz 

immobilized; immobilizing

: to fix in place : make immobile

immobilization

im-ˌō-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

immobilizer

im-ˈō-bə-ˌlī-zər 

noun

Medical Definition

immobilize

transitive verb

im·​mo·​bi·​lize

variants also British immobilise

im-ˈō-bə-ˌlīz 

immobilized also British immobilised; immobilizing also British immobilising

: 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

Legal Definition

immobilize

transitive verb

im·​mo·​bi·​lize i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 

immobilized; immobilizing

: to make immobile

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

immobilization

i-ˌmō-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun