ˈȯ(r)gəˌnīz verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Usage: see -ize
Etymology: Middle English organysen, from Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French organiser, from Medieval Latin organizare, from Latin organum organ + -izare -ize — more at organ
transitive verb
1.
a. : to cause to develop an organic structure
around it the egg is organized as a unitary organism — C.H.Waddington
b. : to make ready for embryonic differentiation and development : act in the manner of an inductor in relation to
2.
a. : to arrange or constitute into a coherent unity in which each part has a special function or relation
organize his knowledge in a coherent system of thought — J.S.Schapiro
these practical proposals are organized by a philosophy of natural law — F.S.Cohen
b. : to unify into a coordinated functioning whole : put in readiness for coherent or cooperative action
paused to organize his thoughts
wake and organize the hikers for the day's climb
organize a defense before the invasion
: integrate
was poorly organized and revealed an unevenness in logical procedure which is a common identifying mark of schizophrenia — Miriam G. Siegel
: rally
active in organizing sentiment … against the British government — R.E.Moody
c.
(1) : to set up an administrative and functional structure for : provide with or establish as an organization
organize a congregation and erect a church
organize a company to manufacture his invention
organize a territory
(2) : to associate in an organization
organized the dairymen into a marketing cooperative
(3) : unionize
organize the white-collar workers
organize the factory
organize the garment industry
3. : to sing the organum to (a cantus firmus)
4. : to arrange by systematic planning and coordination of individual effort
helped to organize games and entertainment among the passengers — Current Biography
organize short courses for teacher-librarians — Times Literary Supplement
organize a traveling art exhibition
organizeorganize a tour of the campus for new students
organize the attack
organize a strike
5. : to put in a state of order
tried to organize the torrent of emotions … seething inside her — Barnaby Conrad
: arrange in an orderly manner
organize the chairs for the rehearsal
intransitive verb
1. : to sing the organum
2. : to undergo organization
an organized clot in the femoral vein
sometimes the exudate of pneumonia organizes instead of being resolved
3. : to arrange elements into a whole of interdependent parts
began organizing for victory by kicking the commander in chief … upstairs to the viceroyalty — O.S.J.Gogarty
4.
a. : to form an organization
prohibiting an armed group from organizing on its soil — Collier's Year Book
b.
(1) : to establish or found a labor union
that workers had a right to organize
(2) : to persuade workers to join or form a workers group into a union
spent his early years as a union employee organizing
Synonyms: see found , order