galvanize

verb

gal·​va·​nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz How to pronounce galvanize (audio)
galvanized; galvanizing
Synonyms of galvanizenext

transitive verb

1
a
: to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically
galvanize a muscle
b
: to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock
an issue that would galvanize public opinion
2
: to coat (iron or steel) with zinc
especially : to immerse in molten zinc to produce a coating of zinc-iron alloy

intransitive verb

: to react as if stimulated by an electric shock
they galvanized into action
galvanization
ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce galvanize (audio)
noun
galvanizer
ˈgal-və-ˌnī-zər How to pronounce galvanize (audio)
noun

Did you know?

Luigi Galvani was an Italian physician and physicist who, in the 1770s, studied the electrical nature of nerve impulses by applying electrical stimulation to frogs' leg muscles, causing them to contract. Although Galvani's theory that animal tissue contained an innate electrical impulse was disproven, the French word galvanisme came to describe a current of electricity especially when produced by chemical action. English borrowed the word as galvanism, and shortly after the verb galvanize came to life.

Synonyms

See all Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus 

Examples of galvanize in a Sentence

The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law. The website has galvanized support for the project. a factory where steel is galvanized
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Republicans in July overcame qualms about Trump’s polarizing antics and legal problems to nominate him a third time, galvanized after an assassination attempt by a gunman whose bullets nicked Trump’s ear at a Pennsylvania rally, killed a supporter and raised national tensions. —Julia Prodis Sulek, The Mercury News, 6 Nov. 2024 Read More: America's Border Wall Is Bipartisan Over the next decades, other states used Prop 187 as a blueprint, recognizing that even if the laws were struck down, the process of galvanizing support for anti-immigrant measures could be politically useful. —Eladio B. Bobadilla / Made By History, TIME, 5 Nov. 2024 Then, about 15 years ago, immigrant rights activists pushed back, organizing campaigns to shield migrants from the raids and galvanizing support to repeal the anti-immigration laws. —Anjeanette Damon, ProPublica, 4 Nov. 2024 The sight of Till’s mutilated and decomposed corpse at his open-casket funeral galvanized the civil-rights movement. —Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for galvanize 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French galvaniser, from Luigi galvani (who conducted pioneering experiments in bioelectricity) + -iser -ize

Note: See note at galvanism.

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of galvanize was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near galvanize

galvanism

galvanize

galvanized

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Galvanize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/galvanize. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

galvanize

verb
gal·​va·​nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz How to pronounce galvanize (audio)
galvanized; galvanizing
1
a
: to subject to the action of an electric current
galvanize a muscle
b
: to cause excitement or concern and a desire for action in
an issue that galvanized the public
2
: to coat (as iron) with zinc for protection
galvanization
ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce galvanize (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

galvanize

transitive verb
gal·​va·​nize
variants or British galvanise
ˈgal-və-ˌnīz How to pronounce galvanize (audio)
galvanized or British galvanised; galvanizing or British galvanising
: to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically
galvanize a muscle

More from Merriam-Webster on galvanize

Nglish: Translation of galvanize for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of galvanize for Arabic Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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