stability

American  

[stuh-bil-i-tee] / stəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

stabilities plural

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.

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stability British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonstability
  noun
• self-stability
  noun
• overstability
  noun

Inflected Forms

noun

• stabilities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of stability

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

Explanation

Stability is the quality of being unchanging. You know you should be congratulated on your commitment to stability when you’ve lived in the same place your whole life. Stability is often used to describe buildings or structures that won't collapse or fall down. Good tires will help you maintain stability on snowy or icy roads. You can use the word more figuratively for a safe environment or a healthy mental state. Financial and political stability are to be desired. Hopefully you will provide your children stability and love. When you have violent outbursts, people began to doubt your mental stability.

Example Sentences

After the chaos Russia sustained in the 1990s, Mr. Putin, having brought stability, expected to be heralded by the West the way Alexander I was after Waterloo.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

This hidden landscape helps determine the location of subglacial basins and lakes and may affect the stability of regions of the Antarctic Ice Sheet that are particularly vulnerable to climate change.

From Science Daily • Jun. 4, 2026

The US embassy in Mogadishu has described the violence as "reckless", adding that leader on all sides "have a responsibility to preserve stability and resolve differences through peaceful means".

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

Dallas Fed President Lorie Logan stated higher interest rates may be necessary later this year to restore price stability.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 2026

He tested it several times for stability, then climbed down.

From "Frightful's Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Related Words

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