stable

[ stey-buhl ]

/ ˈsteɪ bəl /

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See synonyms for: stable / stables / stableness / stably on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

such a building with stalls.

a collection of animals housed in such a building.

Horse Racing.

an establishment where racehorses are kept and trained.
the horses belonging to, or the persons connected with, such an establishment.

Informal.

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.
the establishment that trains or manages such a group of people: two boxers from the same stable.
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.

verb (used with object), sta·bled, sta·bling.

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

verb (used without object), sta·bled, sta·bling.

to live in or as if in a stable.

OTHER WORDS FOR stable

1 barn, mews.

See synonyms for stable on Thesaurus.com

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of stable

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; see origin at stand

OTHER WORDS FROM stable

sta·ble·like, adjectiveun·sta·bled, adjective

Words nearby stable

stabilize, stabilizer, stabilizer bar, stabilograph, stab kick, stable, stableboy, stable door, stable equation, stable fly, Stableford

Other definitions for stable (2 of 2)

stable²

[ stey-buhl ]

/ ˈsteɪ bəl /

adjective, sta·bler, sta·blest.

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

able or likely to continue or last; firmly established; enduring or permanent: a stable government.

resistant to sudden change or deterioration: A stable economy is the aim of every government.

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

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

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

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

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

OTHER WORDS FOR stable

1 fixed, secure, sturdy.

4 invariable, staunch, constant, reliable, steady, unswerving, unvarying.

See synonyms for stable on Thesaurus.com

Origin of stable

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

OTHER WORDS FROM stable

sta·ble·ness, nounstably, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use stable in a sentence

These nanobodies were stable when dried and aerosolized, the researchers found, suggesting that they could be made into a nose spray.
Treatments that target the coronavirus in the nose might help prevent COVID-19|Laura Sanders|September 14, 2020|Science News
Right now the livestock markets are overall not very stable.
Why Is China Cracking Down on Food Waste?|Daniel Malloy|September 3, 2020|Ozy
Which creates shelf-stable foods without the use of preservatives.
America’s Hidden Duopoly (Ep. 356 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 3, 2020|Freakonomics
A second report, based on a geotechnical and structural inspection by the Millennium Engineers Group of Pharr, Texas, also hired by the National Butterfly Center, found that the fence was stable for now, but that it faces a host of issues.
New Engineering Report Finds Privately Built Border Wall Will Fail|by Jeremy Schwartz and Perla Trevizo|September 2, 2020|ProPublica

In July, researchers showed they could get a spin-orbit qubit implemented in silicon to last for about 10 milliseconds, while trapped ion qubits can stay stable for as long as 10 minutes.
Could Quantum Computing Progress Be Halted by Background Radiation?|Edd Gent|August 31, 2020|Singularity Hub
At St. Barnabas Hospital, Pellerano was listed in stable condition with wounds to his chest and arm.
Shot Down During the NYPD Slowdown|Michael Daly|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
His lone stable was a girl from Newport News, Virginia, who had already escaped one nightmare.
The Navy ‘Hero’ Who Pimped an HIV-Positive Teen|M.L. Nestel|December 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The country, long viewed as stable, has recently been home to upheaval.
An African Dictatorship’s Friend in D.C.|Center for Public Integrity|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The areas that were once the most food stable flipped on their heads when Ebola arrived, and are now the least.
Liberia’s Ebola Famine|Abby Haglage, Nina Strochlic|November 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Unlike metals like iron, which rusts and corrodes dramatically, chromium remains stable after oxidation and subsequent burial.
Why Did It Take So Long For Complex Life To Evolve On Earth? Blame Oxygen.|Matthew R. Francis|November 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Adjoining the engine-house on the other side, is the stable, where five splendid horses are kept.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham|Thomas T. Harman and Walter Showell
Yet the word is general and apparently unconnected with the house, as it was not a stable but a boarding-house.
Assimilative Memory|Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)
Dorothy led Jack off to the stable, and the half-frozen yeoman turned in to enjoy his cheerful fire.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
When she went to go into her stable, Mace slowed her down till the street cars was gone by.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher|Eleanor Gates
A broken broom, covered with very ancient cobwebs, lay under one manger, and the remnants of a stable-bucket under another.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries|Charles G. Harper

British Dictionary definitions for stable (1 of 2)

stable¹

/ (ˈsteɪbəl) /

noun

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

the animals lodged in such a building, collectively

the racehorses belonging to a particular establishment or owner
the establishment itself
(as modifier)stable companion

informal a source of training, such as a school, theatre, etcthe two athletes were out of the same stable

a number of people considered as a source of a particular talenta stable of writers

(modifier) of, relating to, or suitable for a stablestable manners

verb

to put, keep, or be kept in a stable

Word Origin for stable

C13: from Old French estable cowshed, from Latin stabulum shed, from stāre to stand

British Dictionary definitions for stable (2 of 2)

stable²

/ (ˈsteɪbəl) /

adjective

steady in position or balance; firm

lasting or permanenta stable relationship

steadfast or firm of purpose

(of an elementary particle, atomic nucleus, etc) not undergoing decay; not radioactivea stable nuclide

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

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

Derived forms of stable

stableness, nounstably, adverb

Word Origin for stable

C13: from Old French estable, from Latin stabilis steady, from stāre to stand

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for stable

stable

[ stā′bəl ]

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. See more at decay.

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

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

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

Other Idioms and Phrases with stable

stable

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

stable

OTHER WORDS FOR stable

Origin of stable

OTHER WORDS FROM stable

Words nearby stable

Other definitions for stable (2 of 2)

OTHER WORDS FOR stable

Origin of stable

OTHER WORDS FROM stable

Words related to stable

How to use stable in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for stable (1 of 2)

Word Origin for stable

British Dictionary definitions for stable (2 of 2)

Derived forms of stable

Word Origin for stable

Scientific definitions for stable

Other Idioms and Phrases with stable