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

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steady state Scientific  

/ stĕd′ē /

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.

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Example Sentences

“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

The models used in the study work by simulating groundwater flow in a "steady state" environment where inflow and outflow of water into the aquifer is balanced.

From Science Daily • Feb. 21, 2024

The steady state theory therefore had to be abandoned.

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