static

American  

[stat-ik] / ˈstæt ɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by a fixed or stationary condition.

2. showing little or no change.

   a static concept; a static relationship.

3. lacking movement, development, or vitality.

   The novel was marred by static characterizations, especially in its central figures.

4. Sociology. referring to a condition of social life bound by tradition.

5. Electricity. pertaining to or noting static electricity.

6. noting or pertaining to atmospheric electricity interfering with radar, radio, the sending and receiving of wireless messages, etc.

7. Physics. acting by mere weight without producing motion.

   static pressure.

8. Economics. pertaining to fixed relations, or different combinations of fixed quantities.

   static population.

9. Computers. (of data storage, processing, or programming) unaffected by the passage of time or the presence or absence of power.

   A static website contains web pages with fixed content that does not change as the user interacts with it.

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noun

1. Electricity.

   1. static or atmospheric electricity.

   2. interference due to such electricity.

2. Informal. difficulty; trouble.

   Will your dad give you any static on using the car?

static British  

/ ˈstætɪk /

adjective

1. not active or moving; stationary

2. (of a weight, force, or pressure) acting but causing no movement

3. of or concerned with forces that do not produce movement Compare dynamic

4. relating to or causing stationary electric charges; electrostatic

5. of or relating to interference in the reception of radio or television transmissions

6. of or concerned with statics

7. sociol characteristic of or relating to a society that has reached a state of equilibrium so that no changes are taking place

8. computing (of a memory) not needing its contents refreshed periodically Compare dynamic

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noun

1. random hissing or crackling or a speckled picture caused by the interference of electrical disturbances in the reception of radio or television transmissions

2. electric sparks or crackling produced by friction

static Scientific  

/ stăt′ĭk /

1. Having no motion; being at rest.

2. Compare dynamic

3. Relating to or producing static electricity.

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1. Distortion or interruption of a broadcast signal, such as crackling or noise in a receiver or specks on a television screen, often produced when background electromagnetic radiation in the atmosphere disturbs signal reception or when there are loose connections in the transmission or reception circuits.

Other Word Forms

• nonstatic
  adjective
• statically
  adverb
• unstatic
  adjective
• unstatical
  adjective
• unstatically
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of static

First recorded in 1560–70; from New Latin staticus, from Greek statikós, equivalent to sta- (stem of histánai “to make, stand” ) + -tikos adjective suffix; see stand, -tic

Explanation

Static means not moving or changing––it's often used to describe abstract ideas that can't be seen. "The troops were moving all over the country, engaged in skirmishes, but the army's overall position remained static." Static is easier to remember if you think of the sta- in "standing still" and stationary. Remember what happens when you rub a balloon against your head? That's producing a stationary electric charge, otherwise known as static electricity.

Example Sentences

Static on the radio warns that World War III might be underway.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 5, 2025

Static electricity -- the spark you feel when touching a doorknob or pulling on a sweater -- occurs when electrons build up and discharge suddenly upon contact with a conductor.

From Science Daily • Oct. 15, 2025

There was a company called Static Controls that figured out how to jailbreak the toner cartridges for the Lexmark printer.

From Slate • Oct. 13, 2025

Static digital versions of Green Trails are available for sale via the Avenza app.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 30, 2023

Static, then a voice comes through one of the soldiers' earpieces.

From "Legend" by Marie Lu

Related Words

• fixed
• immobile
• immovable
• passive
• stagnant
• stationary