stabilize

especially British, sta·bi·lise

[stey-buh-lahyz]

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.

verb (used without object)

stabilized, stabilizing 

1. to become stabilized.

stabilize

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stabilize¹

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

Example Sentences

Jail causes people to lose their jobs, medicines and access to stabilizing influences like family and religious groups.

From Salon

Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday signed a sweeping package of climate and environment bills aimed at reducing the cost of electricity, stabilizing gasoline prices and propping up California’s struggling oil industry.

From Los Angeles Times

Likely seeing an opportunity to profit from diesel under new federal leadership, the major truck manufacturers doing business in California are injecting instability into the very market they once sought to stabilize.

From Los Angeles Times

But the audience level appears to have stabilized.

From Los Angeles Times

The bill, Lee said, was a “regulatory giveaway to Big Oil” that would do little to stabilize gas prices or refineries, which are struggling because demand for oil is falling.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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