galvanize

verb

gal·​va·​nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz 

galvanized; galvanizing

transitive verb

1

a

: to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically

galvanize a muscle

b

: to stimulate or excite as if by an electric shock

an issue that would galvanize public opinion

2

: to coat (iron or steel) with zinc

especially : to immerse in molten zinc to produce a coating of zinc-iron alloy

intransitive verb

: to react as if stimulated by an electric shock

they galvanized into action

galvanization

ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

galvanizer

ˈgal-və-ˌnī-zər 

noun

Did you know?

Luigi Galvani was an Italian physician and physicist who, in the 1770s, studied the electrical nature of nerve impulses by applying electrical stimulation to frogs’ leg muscles, causing them to contract. Although Galvani’s theory that animal tissue contained an innate electrical impulse was disproven, the French word galvanisme came to refer to a current of electricity especially when produced by chemical action, while the verb galvaniser was used for the action of applying such a current (both words were apparently coined by German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt, who modeled them after the French equivalents of magnetism and magnetize). In English, these words came to life as galvanism and galvanize, respectively. Today their primary senses are figurative: to galvanize a person or group is to spur them into action as if they’ve been jolted with electricity.

Synonyms of galvanize

• excite
• thrill
• electrify
• inspire

Examples of galvanize in a Sentence

The group is hoping to galvanize public opinion against the proposed law.

The website has galvanized support for the project.

a factory where steel is galvanized

Recent Examples on the Web

Some were galvanized by the covid pandemic, when rates of anxiety and depression spiked — not because everyone’s brain chemistry suddenly changed but because the world changed. —Aneri Pattani, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 2026

Using animations of Eddie and talking-head interviews with famous fans including Javier Bardem, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich, Chuck D, and the Cure’s Simon Gallup, among others, the doc traces the group’s East London origins, galvanizing a loyal fanbase that now sees them in arenas and stadiums. —Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026

And whenever there is some upheaval in the world, or in our community, Leimert Park has always been this galvanizing place where everybody comes together to learn what’s going on, to find out what the solutions are and what the marching orders are. —Deborah Vankin, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026

Some were galvanized by the covid pandemic, when rates of anxiety and depression spiked — not because everyone's brain chemistry suddenly changed but because the world changed. —Aneri Pattani, CBS News, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French galvaniser, from Luigi galvani (who conducted pioneering experiments in bioelectricity) + -iser -ize

Note: See note at galvanism.

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for galvanize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• agonize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize

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Kids Definition

galvanize

verb

gal·​va·​nize ˈgal-və-ˌnīz 

galvanized; galvanizing

1

a

: to subject to the action of an electric current

galvanize a muscle

b

: to cause excitement or concern and a desire for action in

an issue that galvanized the public

2

: to coat (as iron) with zinc for protection

galvanization

ˌgal-və-nə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

galvanize

transitive verb

gal·​va·​nize

variants or British galvanise

ˈgal-və-ˌnīz 

galvanized or British galvanised; galvanizing or British galvanising

: to subject to the action of an electric current especially for the purpose of stimulating physiologically

galvanize a muscle