1. to shock or excite someone into sudden action or awareness
Usage: most common modern sense
2. to coat (steel or iron) with zinc to prevent rusting
Usage: technical/industrial

Examples

• The news of the crisis galvanizes the community into action.
• Her inspiring speech galvanizes the team to work harder.
• The factory galvanizes metal sheets to protect them from corrosion.
• Public outrage galvanizes lawmakers to pass new legislation.
• The coach's halftime talk galvanizes the players for the second half.
• Steel beams are galvanized before being used in construction.