stable

¹ American  

[stey-buhl] / ˈsteɪ bəl /

noun

1. a building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.

   Synonyms:

   mews, barn

2. such a building with stalls.

3. a collection of animals housed in such a building.

4. Horse Racing.

   1. an establishment where racehorses are kept and trained.

   2. the horses belonging to, or the persons connected with, such an establishment.

5. Informal.

   1. a number of people, usually in the same profession, who are employed, trained, or represented by the same company, agency, manager, etc..

      a comedy show with a large stable of writers.

   2. the establishment that trains or manages such a group of people.

      two boxers from the same stable.

   3. a collection of items produced by or belonging to an establishment, industry, profession, or the like.

      The American auto industry has some new small cars in its stable.

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verb (used with object)

stabled, stabling

1. to put or lodge in or as if in a stable.

verb (used without object)

stabled, stabling

1. to live in or as if in a stable.

stable ² American  

[stey-buhl] / ˈsteɪ bəl /

adjective

stabler, stablest

1. not likely to fall or give way, as a structure, support, foundation, etc.; firm; steady.

   Synonyms:

   sturdy, secure, fixed

2. able or likely to continue or last; firmly established; enduring or permanent.

   a stable government.

3. resistant to sudden change or deterioration.

   A stable economy is the aim of every government.

4. steadfast; not wavering or changeable, as in character or purpose; dependable.

   Synonyms:

   steady, reliable, constant, staunch, invariable

5. not subject to emotional instability or illness; sane; mentally sound.

6. Physics. having the ability to react to a disturbing force by maintaining or reestablishing position, form, etc.

7. Chemistry. not readily decomposing, as a compound; resisting molecular or chemical change.

8. (of a patient's condition) exhibiting no significant change.

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stable ¹ British  

/ ˈsteɪbəl /

noun

1. a building, usually consisting of stalls, for the lodging of horses or other livestock

2. the animals lodged in such a building, collectively

3. 1. the racehorses belonging to a particular establishment or owner

   2. the establishment itself

   3. ( as modifier )

      stable companion

4. informal a source of training, such as a school, theatre, etc

   the two athletes were out of the same stable

5. a number of people considered as a source of a particular talent

   a stable of writers

6. (modifier) of, relating to, or suitable for a stable

   stable manners

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verb

1. to put, keep, or be kept in a stable

stable ² British  

/ ˈsteɪbəl /

adjective

1. steady in position or balance; firm

2. lasting or permanent

   a stable relationship

3. steadfast or firm of purpose

4. (of an elementary particle, atomic nucleus, etc) not undergoing decay; not radioactive

   a stable nuclide

5. (of a chemical compound) not readily partaking in a chemical change

6. (of electronic equipment) with no tendency to self-oscillation

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stable Scientific  

/ stā′bəl /

1. Not susceptible to a process of decay, such as radioactivity. For example, the most common isotope of carbon, carbon 12, is stable. Protons and photons are examples of stable subatomic particles.

2. See more at decay

3. Relating to a chemical compound that does not easily decompose or change into other compounds. Water is an example of a stable compound.

4. Relating to an atom or chemical element that is unlikely to share electrons with another atom or element.

5. Not likely to change significantly or to deteriorate suddenly, as an individual's medical condition.

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stable Idioms  

1. see lock the barn (stable) door after the horse has bolted.

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Other Word Forms

• stablelike adjective
• stableness noun
• stably adverb
• unstabled adjective

Etymology

Origin of stable¹

First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, from Latin stabulum “stall; shed,” equivalent to sta-, stem of stāre “to stand” + -bulum noun suffix denoting place; stand

Origin of stable²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English stable, stabel(e), from Old French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis stabile

Example Sentences

In Argentina, labor rules date to a 1970s framework built around stable, salaried employment in large companies.

From The Wall Street Journal

The challenge is that methane and similar gases are extremely stable and do not react easily, which has limited their use as sustainable raw materials for manufacturing.

From Science Daily

The newly identified molecules belong to a group called steranes, which are stable remnants of sterols such as cholesterol that form part of the cell membranes of complex life.

From Science Daily

Determined to give her niece a stable upbringing, Aunt Irene unhappily but dutifully left a comfortable life in Ohio to return to her small-minded hometown in the Deep South.

From The Wall Street Journal

However, although aluminum prices have been supported by stable alumina costs, the analyst notes that it could be partially held back by recent geopolitical uncertainties, which could weigh on demand.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• balanced
• calm
• durable
• fast
• lasting
• permanent
• reliable
• safe
• secure
• solid
• steady
• strong
• substantial