mobile

1 of 3

adjective

1
: capable of moving or being moved : movable
a mobile missile launcher
a mobile laboratory
2
a
: changeable in appearance, mood, or purpose
mobile face
b
: adaptable, versatile
an organization mobile enough to be able to cope with any emergency
3
: migratory
a mobile society of nomadic herders
4
a
: characterized by the mixing of social groups
the general confusion in moral standards which characterizes mobile societiesE. R. Mowrer
b
: having the opportunity for or undergoing a shift in status within the levels of a society
socially mobile workers
5
: marked by the use of vehicles for transportation
mobile warfare
6
: of or relating to a mobile
A mobile art work hung from the ceiling.
7
: cellular sense 3
a mobile phone

mobile

2 of 3

noun

mo·​bile ˈmō-ˌbēl How to pronounce mobile (audio)
1
: a construction or sculpture frequently of wire and sheet metal shapes with parts that can be set in motion by air currents
also : a similar structure (as of paper or plastic) suspended so that it moves in a current of air
2

-mobile

3 of 3

noun combining form

1
: motorized vehicle
snowmobile
2
: automotive vehicle bringing services to the public
bloodmobile
bookmobile

Examples of mobile in a Sentence

Adjective Their armies are now fully mobile. a mobile kitchen that helps bring food to homeless people Noun They hung a mobile over the baby's bed. Even if I'm out of the office you can reach me on my mobile.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Apart from being optimized for mobile devices, BetOnline offers a dedicated app specifically designed to accommodate all poker players. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Although challenges may arise for those not based in the U.S., such as needing a U.S. mobile number for registration, the practical experience gained is invaluable. Bryce Welker, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 Some of its regulations have had broader impacts: In 2022, a new EU law forcing Apple to use USB-C as the charging standard for mobile devices prompted Apple to adopt the standard for all its new iPhones, including in the United States. Brian Fung, CNN, 7 Mar. 2024 Nielsen’s streaming ratings cover viewing on TV sets only and don’t include minutes watched on computers or mobile devices. Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Those plans include updates to its mobile platform, its collaboration tools, its sponsorship partners, and more. Ash Parrish, The Verge, 6 Mar. 2024 The mobile app is live but registration isn't available until March 19. Detroit Free Press, 5 Mar. 2024 Apple, meanwhile, also is trying to resolve a separate EU antitrust investigation into its mobile payments service by promising to open up its tap-and-go mobile payment system to rivals. Kelvin Chan, Fortune Europe, 4 Mar. 2024 Internet service for many residents was down as Haiti’s top mobile network said a fiber-optic cable connection was slashed during the rampage. Evens Sanon and Pierre-Richard Luxama, USA TODAY, 4 Mar. 2024
Noun
However, note that not all bitcoin slots are available to play on mobile. Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024 Fans can expect to see bet365 branding and signage at the Spectrum Center, the Hornets website, media platforms, the Hornets mobile app and during the team’s TV and radio game broadcast. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 7 Mar. 2024 Meta says people can still purchase boosts from Instagram’s and Facebook’s websites on desktop or mobile to get around the Apple fee that is being passed on to iOS users. Emma Roth, The Verge, 15 Feb. 2024 Netflix’s India service is amongst the company’s lowest cost in the world, with monthly plans ranging from mobile only at INR149 ($1.80), basic at INR199 ($2.40), standard at INR499 ($6) and premium at INR649 ($7.80). Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 29 Feb. 2024 The digital coupon, available on the Staples mobile app, must be shown at checkout. Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 28 Feb. 2024 Mobile players will likely have a lot longer to wait if the last big update is anything to go off of—Stardew's 1.5 update was released on PC in December 2020, then on console in February 2021 but not on mobile until January 2023. Nena Farrell, WIRED, 28 Feb. 2024 The complete lineup and the new site map is available via the Stagecoach mobile app, including music happening inside the Toyota Music Den and Guy’s Smokehouse. Kelli Skye Fadroski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Feb. 2024 With today’s frequent video calls, my expectation is that connecting will be no more difficult than answering my desk phone or placing a call on my mobile. Roger Dooley, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mobile.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English mobyll, from Anglo-French moble, from Latin mobilis, from movēre to move

Noun combining form

automobile

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mobile was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near mobile

Cite this Entry

“Mobile.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mobile. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

mobile

1 of 2 adjective
mo·​bile ˈmō-bəl How to pronounce mobile (audio) -ˌbēl How to pronounce mobile (audio)
-ˌbīl
1
: capable of moving or being moved : movable entry 1
2
: changing quickly in expression
a mobile face
3
: easily moved
mobile troops
4
: tending to travel or migrate from place to place : migratory
mobile workers
5
: characterized by movement from one social class to another
a mobile society
6
mobility noun

mobile

2 of 2 noun
mo·​bile ˈmō-ˌbēl How to pronounce mobile (audio)
: an artistic structure that is moved easily or that has parts easily moved (as by a current of air)

Medical Definition

mobile

adjective
mo·​bile ˈmō-bəl How to pronounce mobile (audio) -ˌbīl How to pronounce mobile (audio)
1
: capable of moving or being moved about readily
globular proteins that are mobile and rod-shaped proteins that form solid structures
the tongue … is clearly the most mobile articulatorG. A. Miller
2
: characterized by an extreme degree of fluidity
ether and mercury are mobile liquids
mobility noun
plural mobilities

Geographical Definition

Mobile

geographical name

Mo·​bile mō-ˈbēl How to pronounce Mobile (audio)
ˈmō-ˌbēl
1
river 38 miles (61 kilometers) long in southwestern Alabama formed by the Alabama and Tombigbee rivers and flowing south into Mobile Bay (an inlet of the Gulf of Mexico)
2
city and port at the point where the Mobile River enters Mobile Bay in southwestern Alabama population 195,111

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