stability [stuh -bil -i-tee]
Synonyms Examples Word Origin
See more synonyms for stability on Thesaurus.com noun, plural sta·bil·i·ties. the state or quality of being stable . firmness in position. continuance without change; permanence. Chemistry resistance or the degree of resistance to chemical change or disintegration. resistance to change, especially sudden change or deterioration: The stability of the economy encourages investment. steadfastness; constancy, as of character or purpose: The job calls for a great deal of emotional stability. Aeronautics the ability of an aircraft to return to its original flying position when abruptly displaced. 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. Show More
Origin of stability 1400–50; <
Latin stabilitās, equivalent to
stabili(s )
stable2 +
-tās- -ty2 ; replacing
late Middle English stablete <
Old French <
Latin, as above
Related forms non·sta·bil·i·ty , noun o·ver·sta·bil·i·ty , noun self-sta·bil·i·ty , noun Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words for stability strength ,
support ,
cohesion ,
security ,
balance ,
establishment ,
resoluteness ,
perseverance ,
toughness ,
durability ,
permanence ,
endurance ,
steadiness ,
aplomb ,
soundness ,
backbone ,
solidity ,
determination ,
firmness ,
constancy Examples from the Web for stability Contemporary Examples of stability But that stability can be withdrawn as easily as it was granted.
One specific kind of emergency is at the heart of this, such as when an airplane suffers a loss of stability at night.
The pyramids of Meroe await a day when stability will allow outsiders to peek at a forgotten ancient kingdom.
A Shiite stronghold wrapped in a Sunni explosive belt—not exactly a picture of stability .
In a country where stability is still fragile and requires careful tending, Ebola is a wrecking ball.
Historical Examples of stability The stability of the Whig administration, then in power, depended upon the results.
Then, again, variety of climate should always go with stability of abode.
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times.
Did kind Fates design it as a guarantee of peace and stability ?
But neither can thought or mind be devoid of some principle of rest or stability .
British Dictionary definitions for stability the quality of being stable the ability of an aircraft to resume its original flight path after inadvertent displacement meteorol the condition of an air or water mass characterized by no upward movement the degree of susceptibility of an air mass to disturbance by convection currents ecology the ability of an ecosystem to resist change electrical engineering the ability of an electrical circuit to cope with changes in the operational conditions a vow taken by every Benedictine monk attaching him perpetually to the monastery where he is professed Show More
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for stability n. mid-14c., "firmness of resolve, mental equilibrium" (of persons), from Old French stableté , from Latin stabilitatem (nominative stabilitas ) "firmness, steadfastness," from stabilis "steadfast, firm" (see stable (adj.)). In physical sense, "difficult to overthrow," it is recorded from early 15c.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
The condition of being stable or resistant to change. Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
