stabilize
Americanverb (used with object)
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to make or hold stable, firm, or steadfast.
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to maintain at a given or unfluctuating level or quantity.
The government will try to stabilize the cost of living.
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Aeronautics. to put or keep (an aircraft) in stable equilibrium, as by some special device.
verb (used without object)
verb
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to make or become stable or more stable
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to keep or be kept stable
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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
Derived Forms
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stabilizationnoun
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restabilizeverb (used with object)
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self-stabilizedadjective
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self-stabilizingadjective
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unstabilizedadjective
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unstabilizingadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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stabilizesimple
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stabilizessimple
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have stabilizedperfect
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has stabilizedperfect
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am stabilizingprogressive
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are stabilizingprogressive
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is stabilizingprogressive
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have been stabilizingperfect progressive
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has been stabilizingperfect progressive
Past
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stabilizedsimple
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had stabilizedperfect
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was stabilizingprogressive
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were stabilizingprogressive
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had been stabilizingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of stabilize
Explanation
The verb stabilize means to hold steady or make firm. When you climb a ladder, you should stabilize the ladder before you get on it, otherwise you may get a lesson in the laws of gravity — you know, what goes up comes down! The verb stabilize also means to keep from changing or shifting. If you have a fever and your temperature is all over the place, you can help stabilize it by taking aspirin. The verb stabilize was originally applied to ships and the idea that something like weight or the shape of the ship could be used to produce a steadier, or less wobbly, voyage. Now the verb applies to anything that can be made more steady or stable. You might remember how happy you were when learning to ride a bike that you had training wheels to stabilize you.
Vocabulary lists containing stabilize
Hatchet
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Purple Hibiscus
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Human Impacts on Earth Systems - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Perhaps 70 is the new 50 when boards are looking for veteran executives to stabilize a company.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
When supported by both hind legs and the tail, the animal would have formed a tripodal stance, meaning that three points of contact helped stabilize its body.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026
This long-term shift may have helped stabilize both atmospheric oxygen and carbon dioxide.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 16, 2026
The strategists said fundamentals are improving, the regulatory backdrop is stabilizing and stronger sentiment is helping to stabilize earnings expectations across parts of the sector.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
Even when a bird was seven or eight feet away the arrow would turn without feathers to stabilize it and hit brush or a twig.
From "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen
Even if the Iran conflict cools and oil stabilizes, a powerful El Niño could keep pressure on essential prices through the end of 2026 and into 2027.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
An IPO base is a period that happens within the first 25 days of trading where a stock stabilizes and trades in a narrow range.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026
"Together, they efficiently confine and enhance the twisting of light to create a strong coupling of spin between photons and electrons. This stabilizes the quantum state that makes quantum communication possible."
From Science Daily ● May 30, 2026
Waldorf had spelled out the catch-22 in her journal that morning: “If I need a blood transfusion and it stabilizes my condition, they cannot induce. If my temp continues to spike then they can induce.”
From Salon ● May 27, 2026
This shielding model stabilizes any model which predicts the death of the person so it blocks the activation of the PSM.
From The Brain, A Decoded Enigma by Moisa, Dorin Teodor
However, Shein said U.S. sales trends have gradually stabilized recently.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
The US labor market has largely stabilized, with steady unemployment despite zigzagging job growth, leaving policymakers mostly focused on inflation.
From Barron's ● Jul. 26, 2026
Analysts Michael Schaus and Matthew Finkelstein at U.S. research boutique Zweig-DiMenna pointed to renewed buying from the Chinese central bank as a very good indication the price might have finally stabilized.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 21, 2026
The share of delinquencies on credit cards and car loans has also stabilized, albeit at elevated levels.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 14, 2026
Every time the ship tilted, he pushed in the opposite direction and the hull stabilized.
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
Riley also added a Hall of Fame coach at defensive coordinator in hopes of stabilizing matters on that side of the ball.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
Could a confirmed head at the Justice Department be a stabilizing force?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 16, 2026
The strategists said fundamentals are improving, the regulatory backdrop is stabilizing and stronger sentiment is helping to stabilize earnings expectations across parts of the sector.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026
A functional democracy requires its chief law enforcement officials to act as stabilizing forces during moments of national shock or uncertainty.
From Salon ● Jul. 13, 2026
When they returned to the mobile home in the early afternoon, Uncle Jet had finished stabilizing the last metal post of the cornfield.
From "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
