organize

verb

or·​ga·​nize ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz 

organized; organizing

transitive verb

1

: to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole : integrate

trying to organize her thoughts

2

a

: to set up an administrative structure for

organize a company to manufacture his invention

b

: to persuade to associate in an organization

especially : unionize

organize the white-collar workers

3

: to arrange by systematic planning and united effort

organize a tour of the campus for the new students

4

: to cause to develop an organic structure

intransitive verb

1

: to undergo physical or organic organization

a clot organized in the femoral vein

2

: to arrange elements into a whole of interdependent parts

began organizing for a victory celebration

3

: to form an organization

specifically : to form or persuade workers to join a union

workers had the right to organize

organizable

ˌȯr-gə-ˈnī-zə-bəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• arrange
• array
• classify
• codify
• dispose
• draw up
• lay out
• marshal
• marshall
• order
• range
• systematize

Choose the Right Synonym for organize

order, arrange, marshal, organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other.

order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

Examples of organize in a Sentence

They hired a professional to help organize their wedding.

We are organizing a fund-raiser.

His office is a mess. He needs someone to help him organize his work.

I spent some time organizing my closet last weekend.

You need to learn to organize better.

She organized people to work for social justice.

The players were organized into separate teams.

He encouraged them to organize for social justice.

The company has tried to prevent the workers from organizing.

Recent Examples on the Web

The portraits were part of a larger exhibit organized by the Holocaust Memorial Trust, Jewish News and Royal Photographic Society (of which Princess Kate is patron), bringing together 75 powerful images of survivors and their family members to mark 75 years since the Holocaust ended. —Janine Henni, People.com, 27 Jan. 2025

Soccer Three top players in Southern Section girls soccer have been ruled ineligible for the rest of the season for taking part in a training camp organized by a pro team. —Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 27 Jan. 2025

Professional, organized thieves swooping into stores in groups to steal high-demand items to sell on the black market. —Cailey Locklair, Baltimore Sun, 27 Jan. 2025

Dropbox helps filmmakers and creative teams find, organize, and secure all the files that are important to any project. —Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 26 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Kids Definition

organize

verb

or·​ga·​nize ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz 

organized; organizing

1

: to make separate parts into one united whole : form or form into an organization

2

: to put into order : systematize

organize your work

organizer noun

Medical Definition

organize

verb

or·​ga·​nize

variants also British organise

ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz 

organized also British organised; organizing also British organising

transitive verb

1

a

: to cause to develop an organic structure

b

: to cause to undergo organization

an organized blood clot

2

: to arrange or form into a coherent unit or functioning whole

intransitive verb

: to undergo organization

an organizing pneumonitis

Legal Definition

organize

verb

or·​ga·​nize

organized; organizing

transitive verb

1

a

: to set up an administrative structure for

b

: to persuade to associate in an organization (as a union)

2

: to arrange by systematic planning and united effort

organize a strike

intransitive verb

: to form an organization

especially : to form or persuade workers to join a union