immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
i-ˈmō-bə-ˌlīz 
immobilized; immobilizing; immobilizes
: 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
Synonyms
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
While waiting for help, keep the bite area immobilized and below heart level to slow the spread of venom.
—
Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 25 Sep. 2024
In more than 15 of those cases, police requested or suggested that emergency medical workers inject sedatives, such as ketamine or midazolam, to temporarily immobilize someone for transport.
—John Seewer and Reese Dunklin, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep. 2024
The ship’s crew of 23 Filipinos and two Russians as well as four private security guards were rescued by a French destroyer the day after the attack, but the Sounion itself is immobilized, currently anchored between the coasts of Eritrea and Yemen.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 13 Sep. 2024
In people with the dream behavior disorder called RBD, the brakes that normally immobilize them during REM sleep are lifted.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for immobilize 
Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 25 Sep. 2024
In more than 15 of those cases, police requested or suggested that emergency medical workers inject sedatives, such as ketamine or midazolam, to temporarily immobilize someone for transport.
—John Seewer and Reese Dunklin, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Sep. 2024
The ship’s crew of 23 Filipinos and two Russians as well as four private security guards were rescued by a French destroyer the day after the attack, but the Sounion itself is immobilized, currently anchored between the coasts of Eritrea and Yemen.
—Joshua Keating, Vox, 13 Sep. 2024
In people with the dream behavior disorder called RBD, the brakes that normally immobilize them during REM sleep are lifted.
—Diana Kwon, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2023
See all Example Sentences for immobilize
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'immobilize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near immobilize
Cite this Entry
“Immobilize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immobilize. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
immobilize
verb
im·mo·bi·lize
im-ˈō-bə-ˌlīz
immobilized; immobilizing
: to fix in place : make immobile
Medical Definition
immobilize
transitive verb
im·mo·bi·lize
variants
also British immobilise
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)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share