organize

verb

or·​ga·​nize ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz How to pronounce organize (audio)
organized; organizing

transitive verb

1
: to form into a coherent unity or functioning whole : integrate
trying to organize her thoughts
2
a
: to set up an administrative structure for
organize a company to manufacture his invention
b
: to persuade to associate in an organization
especially : unionize
organize the white-collar workers
3
: to arrange by systematic planning and united effort
organize a tour of the campus for the new students
4
: to cause to develop an organic structure

intransitive verb

1
: to undergo physical or organic organization
a clot organized in the femoral vein
2
: to arrange elements into a whole of interdependent parts
began organizing for a victory celebration
3
: to form an organization
specifically : to form or persuade workers to join a union
workers had the right to organize
organizable adjective
Choose the Right Synonym for organize

order, arrange, marshal, organize, systematize, methodize mean to put persons or things into their proper places in relation to each other.

order suggests a straightening out so as to eliminate confusion.

ordered her business affairs

arrange implies a setting in sequence, relationship, or adjustment.

arranged the files numerically

marshal suggests gathering and arranging in preparation for a particular operation or effective use.

marshaling the facts for argument

organize implies arranging so that the whole aggregate works as a unit with each element having a proper function.

organized the volunteers into teams

systematize implies arranging according to a predetermined scheme.

systematized billing procedures

methodize suggests imposing an orderly procedure rather than a fixed scheme.

methodizes every aspect of daily living

Examples of organize in a Sentence

They hired a professional to help organize their wedding. We are organizing a fund-raiser. His office is a mess. He needs someone to help him organize his work. I spent some time organizing my closet last weekend. You need to learn to organize better. She organized people to work for social justice. The players were organized into separate teams. He encouraged them to organize for social justice. The company has tried to prevent the workers from organizing.
Recent Examples on the Web That included planning and organizing speaker opportunities for Jason Dunn, then the director of multicultural affairs for Visit Cincy. The Enquirer, 7 Mar. 2024 Frames is organized by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI). Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Both Brennan and McPherson have organized rallies and marches to bring attention to Lord's death. Robert Anglen, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024 Some held watch parties for sporting events, others organized career learning and development sessions for younger colleagues, and then there were Lego building events to promote strategic thinking. Trey Williams, Fortune, 7 Mar. 2024 The Miami Herald, along with other sponsors, organizes two spelling bees every year, one for Miami-Dade and Monroe students and another for Broward students. Jimena Tavel, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 De León has spent the last year finally focusing on meat-and-potato issues — cleaning up streets, organizing food drives, finding shelter for the unhoused — instead of the blind ambition for higher office that had characterized so much of his career. Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 Last year, Buggs organized the Black and Brown Collective with a core group of about two dozen scientists committed to contextualizing studies on gun violence. Christine Spolar, NPR, 6 Mar. 2024 Dozens of Russian celebrities had recorded video appeals to President Vladimir Putin to hand over Navalny’s body to his family and more than 98,000 Russians signed a petition organized by legal rights group OVD-Info. Robyn Dixon, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'organize.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4

Time Traveler
The first known use of organize was in the 15th century

Cite this Entry

“Organize.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organize. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

organize

verb
or·​ga·​nize ˈȯr-gə-ˌnīz How to pronounce organize (audio)
organized; organizing
1
: to make separate parts into one united whole : form or form into an organization
2
: to put into order : systematize
organize your work
organizer noun

Medical Definition

organize

verb
or·​ga·​nize
variants also British organise
organized also British organised; organizing also British organising

transitive verb

1
a
: to cause to develop an organic structure
b
: to cause to undergo organization
an organized blood clot
2
: to arrange or form into a coherent unit or functioning whole

intransitive verb

: to undergo organization
an organizing pneumonitis

Legal Definition

organize

verb
or·​ga·​nize
organized; organizing

transitive verb

1
a
: to set up an administrative structure for
b
: to persuade to associate in an organization (as a union)
2
: to arrange by systematic planning and united effort
organize a strike

intransitive verb

: to form an organization
especially : to form or persuade workers to join a union

More from Merriam-Webster on organize

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