im ‧ mo ‧ bi ‧ lize BrE AmE ( also immobilise British English ) /ɪˈməʊbəlaɪz, ɪˈməʊbɪlaɪz $ ɪˈmoʊ-/ verb [transitive]
1 . to prevent someone or something from moving:
The broken limb must be immobilized immediately.
She was immobilized with a broken leg.
2 . to stop something from working:
The car’s security device will immobilize the ignition system.
—immobilization /ɪˌməʊbəlaɪˈzeɪʃ ə n, ɪˌməʊbɪlaɪˈzeɪʃ ə n $ ɪˌmoʊbələ-/ noun [uncountable]