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

“Our job is to impact the mental and physical capability of the players. The physical part is much easier. The mental part — emotional stability, consistency — that’s the separator. And trust is everything.”

From Los Angeles Times

"If it is the price that we pay for the protection of our borders and maintaining peace and stability in Hungary, this is a price worth paying."

From BBC

Ms Lagarde warned that if the Fed was forced to respond to presidential orders it would have a "very worrying" effect on economic stability around the world.

From BBC

Anchored by kicker Cameron Dicker, punter JK Scott and long snapper Josh Harris, the Chargers’ specialists have been a bedrock of stability the past three seasons.

From Los Angeles Times

Mobility drills between his most strenuous exercises, which increased his core stability and the range of motion in his hips.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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