mobility

What it means

1. countableuncountableThe ability to move; capacity for movement.First known use 15th c.

   I find the enduring existence of high heels both a frustrating mystery and a testament to the triumph of women’s neuroses over their mobility.

   2015 June 15, Hadley Freeman, The Guardian

   1 more example

   In the late 19th and early 20th century, the festive season was also a period of great mobility before, during and after Christmas Day. But the railways kept working.

   2022 December 14, David Turner, “The Edwardian Christmas getaway...”, in RAIL, number 972, page 32

   Synonyms: mobileness

2. countableliteraryuncountableA tendency to sudden change; mutability, changeableness.First known use 16th c.
3. countableuncountablegovernmentThe ability of a military unit to move or be transported to a new position.First known use 18th c.

In a sentence

I find the enduring existence of high heels both a frustrating mystery and a testament to the triumph of women’s neuroses over their mobility.

2015 June 15, Hadley Freeman, The Guardian

Where it comes from

1. Latinmōbilitās“mobility”
2. Middle Frenchmobilité
3. Englishmobility

From Middle French mobilité, and its source, Latin mōbilitās (“mobility”).

First known use: 15th c.