stability

American  

[stuh-bil-i-tee] / stəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

stabilities plural

1. the state or quality of being stable.

2. firmness in position.

3. continuance without change; permanence.

4. Chemistry. resistance or the degree of resistance to chemical change or disintegration.

5. resistance to change, especially sudden change or deterioration.

   The stability of the economy encourages investment.

6. steadfastness; constancy, as of character or purpose.

   The job calls for a great deal of emotional stability.

   Synonyms:

   balance, solidity, poise, soundness, strength, steadiness

7. Aeronautics. the ability of an aircraft to return to its original flying position when abruptly displaced.

8. Roman Catholic Church. a vow taken by a Benedictine monk, binding him to residence for life in the same monastery in which he made the vow.

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stability British  

/ stəˈbɪlɪtɪ /

noun

1. the quality of being stable

2. the ability of an aircraft to resume its original flight path after inadvertent displacement

3. meteorol

   1. the condition of an air or water mass characterized by no upward movement

   2. the degree of susceptibility of an air mass to disturbance by convection currents

4. ecology the ability of an ecosystem to resist change

5. electrical engineering the ability of an electrical circuit to cope with changes in the operational conditions

6. a vow taken by every Benedictine monk attaching him perpetually to the monastery where he is professed

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonstability
  noun
• self-stability
  noun
• overstability
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• stabilities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of stability

First recorded in 1400–50; from Latin stabilitās, from stabili(s) stable ² + -tās -ty ²; replacing late Middle English stablete, from Old French, from Latin, as above

Explanation

Stability is the quality of being unchanging. You know you should be congratulated on your commitment to stability when you’ve lived in the same place your whole life. Stability is often used to describe buildings or structures that won't collapse or fall down. Good tires will help you maintain stability on snowy or icy roads. You can use the word more figuratively for a safe environment or a healthy mental state. Financial and political stability are to be desired. Hopefully you will provide your children stability and love. When you have violent outbursts, people began to doubt your mental stability.

Example Sentences

Alonso could pursue signing Álvarez, whose club career is in need of stability.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 7, 2026

For Eagle, who loves the comfort and stability of the county, its French Empire-style courthouse and nearby lake, this was ringing alarm bells.

From Salon • Jun. 6, 2026

After the chaos Russia sustained in the 1990s, Mr. Putin, having brought stability, expected to be heralded by the West the way Alexander I was after Waterloo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

With the labor market seemingly on solid footing now, Wall Street will turn its attention to the other side of the Federal Open Market Committee’s dual mandate: price stability.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

“And what about the stability of the brain?”

From "I, Robot" by Isaac Asimov

Related Words

• balance
• cohesion
• establishment
• security
• strength
• support