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steady state

British  

noun

  1. physics the condition of a system when some or all of the quantities describing it are independent of time but not necessarily in thermodynamic or chemical equilibrium See also equilibrium

"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

steady state Scientific  
/ stĕdē /
  1. A condition of a physical system or device that does not change over time, or in which any one change is continually balanced by another, such as the stable condition of a system in equilibrium.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“As soon as we’re back onto a steady state relationship, there’s a huge reservoir of goodwill for the United States in Canada, but it’s having a really significant short-term impact,” Bird said.

From Salon • Dec. 2, 2025

“I think we’re in a pretty steady state right now, with healthy procedural growth.”

From Barron's • Nov. 18, 2025

“Leaving the balance sheet in a steady state will make it more difficult for any successor to change its use until another crisis opens this path again,” Boyle said.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 28, 2025

Happiness is not a steady state despite its pursuit by Americans.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2024

Either explanation contradicted the predictions of the steady state theory.

From "A Brief History of Time: And Other Essays" by Stephen Hawking