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

• nonstability
  noun
• overstability
  noun
• self-stability
  noun

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

Twice a year, each May and November, the Fed publishes a Financial Stability Report External link that sizes up risks to the financial system.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Additionally, Anthropic mentioned Pachamama Capital, which claims to also provide access to OpenAI and Figure AI, as well as Lionheart Ventures, a venture-capital firm that named Stability AI co-founder Cyrus Hodes as a venture partner.

From MarketWatch • May 13, 2026

The Financial Stability Board warned of hidden risks in private credit, as Barclays and Santander also faced MFS exposures.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026

Stability, analysts say, can breed its own restlessness - particularly among younger voters less invested in legacy narratives and more drawn to renewal.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

The Stability Analysis fellows were as well known for their progressive politics as for their sharp minds.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Related Words

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