mobility

noun

mo·​bil·​i·​ty mō-ˈbi-lə-tē 

1

: the quality or state of being mobile or movable

… its efforts were supported by the cavalry which … compensated for the infantry's lack of mobility.

—R. M. Ogorkiewicz

… it becomes cost-effective and socially advantageous to provide urban mobility by means of metros: urban rail mass transit systems on exclusive rights-of-way.

—Michael A Niedzielski et al.

: ability or capacity to move

… the physical challenges of vision loss, hearing loss, and reduced mobility.

—Vicki Bloom and Benjamin B. Green-Field

When large doses of steroids restored mobility, they also created irritability, insatiable appetite, and facial hair …

—Whitney Scott

2

: the ability to change one's social or socioeconomic position in a community and especially to improve it

A large body of academic research shows that inequality and lack of social mobility hurt not just those at the bottom; they hurt everyone.

—Rana Foroohar

The mythology of the American Dream has made it difficult to start a serious conversation about how to create more opportunity in our society, since many of us still believe that our mobility is the result of our elbow grease and nothing more.

—Rana Foroohar

see also upward mobility

Examples of mobility in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Plans are in place for 28 one-bedroom units and 48 two-bedroom units, some of which will offer features like accessible kitchens and bathrooms for residents with mobility challenges, as well as units with features for sight and hearing disabilities. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 7 Feb. 2025

Regarding the latter, the report found that total mobility usage across airports studied in the U.S. over the winter holiday season came in at 17.7 million GBs with 106.8 million calls being made and 273.2 million call minutes. —Arthur Zaczkiewicz, WWD, 6 Feb. 2025

In October, the FAA issued a final rule for qualifications and training of advanced air mobility instructors and pilots. —Jim Turner, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025

His mobility is limited to controlling his chair, leaning forward, and wiggling his hips. —Hillary Kelly, The Atlantic, 3 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mobility

• micro-mobility
• mobility scooter
• upward mobility