stabilize

especially British, sta·bi·lise

[stey-buh-lahyz]

verb (used with object)

stabilized, stabilizing 

1. to make or hold stable, firm, or steadfast.

2. to maintain at a given or unfluctuating level or quantity.

   The government will try to stabilize the cost of living.

3. Aeronautics.,  to put or keep (an aircraft) in stable equilibrium, as by some special device.

verb (used without object)

stabilized, stabilizing 

1. to become stabilized.

stabilize

/ ˈsteɪbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become stable or more stable

2. to keep or be kept stable

3. to put or keep (an aircraft, vessel, etc) in equilibrium by one or more special devices, or (of an aircraft, vessel, etc) to become stable

Other Word Forms

• restabilize verb (used with object)
• self-stabilized adjective
• self-stabilizing adjective
• unstabilized adjective
• unstabilizing adjective
• stabilization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stabilize¹

1860–65; stabile + -ize; compare French stabiliser

Example Sentences

Measuring 4.5 meters wide with a concave cross-section, the roads were ideal for stabilizing the statues as they moved forward.

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For the third time in less than a year, a high school athletic trainer has helped stabilize a patient in distress.

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This water from glaciers serves as a “stabilizing force” that can sustain mountain streams through droughts, Jones said.

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Alternatively, he could have kept up the effort to stabilize the peso by spending still more billions of dollars previously borrowed from the International Monetary Fund.

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“One year of mortgage relief now will help people get stabilized, especially because many are having trouble getting access to their temporary housing payments due from their insurance,” she said.

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Related Words

• balance 
• fix 
• maintain 
• preserve 
• secure 
• steady 
• sustain