stability

[stuh-bil-i-tee]

noun

plural

stabilities 

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.

stability

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• nonstability noun
• overstability noun
• self-stability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of stability¹

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

Example Sentences

The restrictions don’t amount to a ban and are intended to protect China’s national security, and the stability of global industrial and supply chains, the country’s commerce ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The Fed’s dual mandate stipulates that it must pursue full employment and price stability, a charge now challenged by competing concerns.

Read more on Barron's

MAS maintained the prevailing rate of appreciation of the Singapore dollar nominal effective exchange rate policy band, aiming to underpin medium-term price stability.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“The board will remain focused on its mandate to deliver price stability and full employment and will do what it considers necessary to achieve that outcome,” it added.

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An Accounting Court wouldn’t eliminate compliance costs, but it would redirect them to a process that yields stability, consistency, and transparency.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

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