organize

verb

OR-guh-nyz/ˈɔɹɡənaɪz/UKAW-guh-nyz/ˈɔːɡənaɪz/

Formsorganizes, organizing, organized

UK spellingorganise

5 meanings of organize

1
put in orderverbtransitive
To put things in order so they work well together.
Like putting your toys into the right boxes so you can find each one later.
She organized her desk so she could find everything quickly.
Please organize these files before the meeting starts.
Similararrange, marshal
Oppositedisorganize
2
give structureverbtransitive
To build something from parts that each have their own job.
Like a soccer team where every player has a different position and a different job.
The teacher organized the class into small teams, and each team had one job to do.
We organize the school fair into different areas for games, food, and prizes.
Similarstructure, systematize, arrange
Note
3
form a unionverbtransitive or intransitive
To join together with other workers in a group that asks for better pay and fair treatment.
Like many small voices joining together to make one loud voice.
The factory workers organized last year and won a pay raise.
Maria helped organize the drivers at her delivery company.
Similarunionize
Note

Less common meanings

4
verb
To give a living thing the body parts it needs to live.
5
verb
To sing a song with different voices each singing their own part.

Practice

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Origin

It came from Middle English 'organizen', partly from Middle French 'organiser' and from Latin 'organum', meaning 'organ'.