1The quality or fact of being automobile; the capacity of a person or thing for self-propulsion. Now rare.
2The use of automobiles or motor vehicles as a mode of transport; motor travel.
Origin
Late 19th century; earliest use found in Annual Reports Chief of Engineers United States Army to Secretary of War. From auto- + mobility. In sense 1 probably after French automobilité; compare German Automobilität, in same sense.