IMMOBILE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does immobile mean? 

• IMMOBILE (adjective)
  The adjective IMMOBILE has 2 senses:

1. not capable of movement or of being moved

2. securely fixed in place

  Familiarity information: IMMOBILE used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IMMOBILE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not capable of movement or of being moved

Similar:

immovable; immoveable; stabile; unmovable (not able or intended to be moved)

immotile; nonmotile ((of spores or microorganisms) not capable of movement)

stiff (not moving or operating freely)

Also:

nonmoving; unmoving (not in motion)

Antonym:

mobile (moving or capable of moving readily (especially from place to place))

Derivation:

immobilize (cause to be unable to move)

immobilize (to hold fast or prevent from moving)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Securely fixed in place

Synonyms:

fast; firm; immobile

Context example:

the post was still firm after being hit by the car

Similar:

fixed (securely placed or fastened or set)

Derivation:

immobility (remaining in place)

 Context examples 

A condition characterized by inactivity, decreased responsiveness to stimuli, and a tendency to maintain an immobile posture.

(Catalepsy, NLM, Medical Subject Headings)

A mass in the mammary gland, either mobile or immobile.

(Breast Lump, NCI Thesaurus)

This constant flow of water means that these immobile animals host many bacteria, viruses and fungi in their complex microbiomes.

(Bacteria living in marine sponge produce toxic compounds found in man-made products, NSF)

Because the surface of Pluto is so cold, the water ice is rock-like and immobile.

(What’s Eating at Pluto?, NASA)

The new finding of widespread and relatively immobile water suggests that it may be present primarily as OH, a more reactive relative of H2O that is made of one oxygen atom and one hydrogen atom.

(On Second Thought, the Moon's Water May Be Widespread and Immobile, NASA)