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
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
Michael A Niedzielski et al.… the physical challenges of vision loss, hearing loss, and reduced mobility.—Vicki Bloom and Benjamin B. Green-Field
Vicki Bloom and Benjamin B. Green-FieldWhen large doses of steroids restored mobility, they also created irritability, insatiable appetite, and facial hair …—Whitney Scott
Whitney Scott2
: 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
Rana ForooharThe 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
Rana ForooharExamples of mobility in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The most pressing issue facing Mecklenburg County is equitable opportunity — ensuring that where someone lives does not determine their access to quality health care, education, economic mobility or safety.
—Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
The lining is mapped for mobility and warmth needs, which means more insulation on the back than the palms.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
Portable multi-screen displays aren’t fringe experiments anymore; the MagHub Quad Max suggests that the next step may simply be more screen real estate, without having to compromise mobility.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
This includes medications, risk of falling, mobility, vision and balance.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mobility
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Charlotte Observer, 14 Feb. 2026
The lining is mapped for mobility and warmth needs, which means more insulation on the back than the palms.
—Maggie Slepian, Outside, 13 Feb. 2026
Portable multi-screen displays aren’t fringe experiments anymore; the MagHub Quad Max suggests that the next step may simply be more screen real estate, without having to compromise mobility.
—New Atlas, 13 Feb. 2026
This includes medications, risk of falling, mobility, vision and balance.
—Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 12 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for mobility
Cite this Entry
“Mobility.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mobility. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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