stable

¹ American  

[stey-buhl] / ˈsteɪ bəl /

noun

1. a building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.

   Synonyms:

   mews, barn

2. such a building with stalls.

3. a collection of animals housed in such a building.

4. Horse Racing.

   1. an establishment where racehorses are kept and trained.

   2. the horses belonging to, or the persons connected with, such an establishment.

5. Informal.

   1. a number of people, usually in the same profession, who are employed, trained, or represented by the same company, agency, manager, etc..

      a comedy show with a large stable of writers.

   2. the establishment that trains or manages such a group of people.

      two boxers from the same stable.

   3. a collection of items produced by or belonging to an establishment, industry, profession, or the like.

      The American auto industry has some new small cars in its stable.

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verb (used with object)

stabled, stabling

1. to put or lodge in or as if in a stable.

verb (used without object)

stabled, stabling

1. to live in or as if in a stable.

stable ² American  

[stey-buhl] / ˈsteɪ bəl /

adjective

stabler, stablest

1. not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation, etc.; firm; steady.

   Synonyms:

   sturdy, secure, fixed

2. able or likely to continue or last; firmly established; enduring or permanent.

   a stable government.

3. resistant to sudden change or deterioration.

   A stable economy is the aim of every government.

4. steadfast; not wavering or changeable, as in character or purpose; dependable.

   Synonyms:

   steady, reliable, constant, staunch, invariable

5. not subject to emotional instability or illness; sane; mentally sound.

6. Physics. having the ability to react to a disturbing force by maintaining or reestablishing position, form, etc.

7. Chemistry. not readily decomposing, as a compound; resisting molecular or chemical change.

8. (of a patient's condition) exhibiting no significant change.

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stable ¹ British  

/ ˈsteɪbəl /

adjective

1. steady in position or balance; firm

2. lasting or permanent

   a stable relationship

3. steadfast or firm of purpose

4. (of an elementary particle, atomic nucleus, etc) not undergoing decay; not radioactive

   a stable nuclide

5. (of a chemical compound) not readily partaking in a chemical change

6. (of electronic equipment) with no tendency to self-oscillation

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stable ² British  

/ ˈsteɪbəl /

noun

1. a building, usually consisting of stalls, for the lodging of horses or other livestock

2. the animals lodged in such a building, collectively

3. 1. the racehorses belonging to a particular establishment or owner

   2. the establishment itself

   3. ( as modifier )

      stable companion

4. informal a source of training, such as a school, theatre, etc

   the two athletes were out of the same stable

5. a number of people considered as a source of a particular talent

   a stable of writers

6. (modifier) of, relating to, or suitable for a stable

   stable manners

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verb

1. to put, keep, or be kept in a stable

stable Scientific  

/ stā′bəl /

1. Not susceptible to a process of decay, such as radioactivity. For example, the most common isotope of carbon, carbon 12, is stable. Protons and photons are examples of stable subatomic particles.

2. See more at decay

3. Relating to a chemical compound that does not easily decompose or change into other compounds. Water is an example of a stable compound.

4. Relating to an atom or chemical element that is unlikely to share electrons with another atom or element.

5. Not likely to change significantly or to deteriorate suddenly, as an individual's medical condition.

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stable Idioms  

1. see lock the barn (stable) door after the horse has bolted.

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Other Word Forms

• stablelike
  adjective
• stableness
  noun
• stably
  adverb
• unstabled
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of stable¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, from Latin stabulum “stall; shed,” equivalent to sta-, stem of stāre “to stand” + -bulum noun suffix denoting place; see origin at stand

Origin of stable²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis stabile

Explanation

When something is stable, it's fixed and steady. If you needed advice, you'd probably go to your most stable friend, the one least likely to act crazy or be easily upset. Whether you're talking about an object or a person, the adjective stable implies reliability and strength. You can describe a government as stable, or a relationship, or a desk. A completely different meaning of stable is the noun "building used for housing horses or other animals." Both senses of the word come from the Latin stabilis, "firm or steadfast."

Example Sentences

The Stable deal is the second announced by Navigator in 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Stable will become Navigator’s second-largest investor, with Blue Owl Capital’s stake in Navigator falling to 37% from 49%.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

The transaction, which Blue Owl Capital-backed Navigator said was valued at 7.6 times the portfolio’s 2025 distributions, includes a strategic partnership that includes the option for Navigator and Stable to co-fund future acquisitions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 4, 2026

Stable long-term inflation expectations and 2.1% average labor productivity growth mitigate risks, but a large fiscal deficit is a vulnerability.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

“We can offer you the Stable, the Temple, and the Thousand and One Nights. Which one do you want?”

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

Related Words

• balanced
• calm
• durable
• fast
• lasting
• permanent
• reliable
• safe
• secure
• solid
• steady
• strong
• substantial