stabilize

American  

[stey-buh-lahyz] / ˈsteɪ bəˌlaɪz /

especially British, stabilise

verb (used with object)

stabilized, stabilizing

1. to make or hold stable, firm, or steadfast.

2. to maintain at a given or unfluctuating level or quantity.

   The government will try to stabilize the cost of living.

3. Aeronautics. to put or keep (an aircraft) in stable equilibrium, as by some special device.

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verb (used without object)

stabilized, stabilizing

1. to become stabilized.

stabilize British  

/ ˈsteɪbɪˌlaɪz /

verb

1. to make or become stable or more stable

2. to keep or be kept stable

3. to put or keep (an aircraft, vessel, etc) in equilibrium by one or more special devices, or (of an aircraft, vessel, etc) to become stable

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Other Word Forms

• restabilize
  verb (used with object)
• self-stabilized
  adjective
• self-stabilizing
  adjective
• stabilization
  noun
• unstabilized
  adjective
• unstabilizing
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of stabilize

1860–65; stabile + -ize; compare French stabiliser

Explanation

The verb stabilize means to hold steady or make firm. When you climb a ladder, you should stabilize the ladder before you get on it, otherwise you may get a lesson in the laws of gravity — you know, what goes up comes down! The verb stabilize also means to keep from changing or shifting. If you have a fever and your temperature is all over the place, you can help stabilize it by taking aspirin. The verb stabilize was originally applied to ships and the idea that something like weight or the shape of the ship could be used to produce a steadier, or less wobbly, voyage. Now the verb applies to anything that can be made more steady or stable. You might remember how happy you were when learning to ride a bike that you had training wheels to stabilize you.

Example Sentences

Reaching an annual deficit at or below 3% of GDP would stabilize and then gradually reduce the national debt as a share of GDP.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 5, 2026

"The virus quickly overwhelmed his body, requiring mechanical ventilation to maintain adequate oxygen and stabilize his condition," Goodman said.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

And even when Hormuz reopens, it will take some time before prices stabilize and crude barrels arrive at their destination.

From MarketWatch • May 2, 2026

This change poses a growing threat to the continent's delicate ice shelves, which line its coast and help stabilize the ice sheet.

From Science Daily • Apr. 30, 2026

Anxious to stabilize the spent fuel pools, operators ran four more helicopter flights on the evening of March 17, but radiation levels above the reactors were still too high.

From "Meltdown" by Deirdre Langeland

Related Words

• balance
• fix
• maintain
• preserve
• secure
• steady
• sustain