immobilization

plural immobilizations · alternative immobilisation

1. countableuncountableThe act or process of preventing a thing from moving.

   The broken bones were able to heal, thanks to the immobilization of her leg in a cast.

   2 more examples

   Treatment of an acute occult dislocation of the ankle consists of immobilization in a snugly fitting plaster-of-paris cast, with little padding.

   1954 February 15, D. Keith Millett, Myron O. Henry, “Occult Ankle Dislocations”, in Modern Medicine, volume 22, number 4, Minneapolis, Minn.: Modern Medicine Publications, Inc., page 93

   We are also extracting DNA, both from blood collected during immobilizations and from hyena feces.

   2011 June 21, Kay E. Holekamp, “Why Study Hyenas?”, in The New York Times

2. countableuncountablesoil scienceThe process in which organic soil matter is decomposed and absorbed by microorganisms, and thus not available to plants.