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

Its large-cap status reinforces stability and visibility in capital markets.

Read more on Barron's

The “tight monetary-policy stance” will be maintained until price stability is achieved, the central bank said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But such endeavors aren’t likely to bring long-term financial stability, especially for people with little start-up money to begin with.

Read more on Salon

The move would be the "theft of the century" and trigger retaliation and damage Western financial stability, Russia's ambassador to Italy Alexey Paramonov said.

Read more on BBC

"The president is in good shape and ready to serve again," says government spokesman Adama Coulibaly, pointing to major public works and investor confidence as proof of the country's stability.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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