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; see origin at stand

Origin of stable²

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

Explanation

When something is stable, it's fixed and steady. If you needed advice, you'd probably go to your most stable friend, the one least likely to act crazy or be easily upset. Whether you're talking about an object or a person, the adjective stable implies reliability and strength. You can describe a government as stable, or a relationship, or a desk. A completely different meaning of stable is the noun "building used for housing horses or other animals." Both senses of the word come from the Latin stabilis, "firm or steadfast."

Example Sentences

The narrow and stable light emission could also improve optical communications systems by reducing interference and allowing larger amounts of data to travel more clearly and efficiently.

From Science Daily • May 18, 2026

For small caps to keep rising, the macro backdrop likely needs to become more stable, Hackett said.

From MarketWatch • May 16, 2026

Chelsea are a club that have often thrived amid chaos, while other clubs have failed to translate more stable leadership into trophies.

From BBC • May 16, 2026

“REITs are relatively well positioned in periods of lower growth and macro uncertainty due to stable, lease‑based cash flows and limited exposure to global trade,” he said.

From Barron's • May 15, 2026

They’d found separate places to change clothes in the stable before heading into the market, and now he was wearing a plain brown kaftan instead of the white one befitting a servant of the temple.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray

Related Words

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