stabilizer

[ stey-buh-lahy-zer ]

noun

1. a person or thing that stabilizes.
2. Aeronautics. a device for stabilizing an aircraft, as the fixed, horizontal tail surface on an airplane. Compare horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer.
3. Nautical.
   1. a mechanical device for counteracting the roll of a vessel, consisting of a pair of retractable fins so pivoted as to oppose a downward force with an upward one, and vice versa.
   2. a gyrostabilizer.
4. any of various substances added to foods, chemical compounds, etc., to prevent deterioration, the breaking down of an emulsion, or the loss of desirable properties.
5. any compound that, when included with an explosive, decreases the ability of the latter to decompose spontaneously.
6. a substance, as beeswax or aluminum stearate, added to a fast-drying oil paint to improve the dispersion of pigment.
7. a comparatively large shock absorber for motor vehicles.
8. Military.
   1. any of various devices or systems that keep a gun mounted on a moving ship, tank, or plane automatically aimed at its target.
   2. any of various mechanical devices, such as fins, or electronic systems that keep a shell, bomb, rocket, etc., aligned with its target.
9. Navy. any of various devices or systems used to keep a submarine or a torpedo at the proper depth or in the proper position.

stabilizer

/ ˈsteɪbɪˌlaɪzə /

noun

1. any device for stabilizing an aircraft See also horizontal stabilizer vertical stabilizer
2. a substance added to something to maintain it in a stable or unchanging state, such as an additive to food to preserve its texture during distribution and storage
3. nautical
   1. a system of one or more pairs of fins projecting from the hull of a ship and controllable to counteract roll
   2. See gyrostabilizer
4. either of a pair of brackets supporting a small wheel that can be fitted to the back wheel of a bicycle to help an inexperienced cyclist to maintain balance
5. an electronic device for producing a direct current supply of constant voltage
6. economics a measure, such as progressive taxation, interest-rate control, or unemployment benefit, used to restrict swings in prices, employment, production, etc, in a free economy
7. a person or thing that stabilizes

Word History and Origins

Origin of stabilizer¹

First recorded in 1905–10; stabilize + -er ¹

Example Sentences

One version of valproate, marketed as Divalproex, is the second most common mood stabilizer used after diagnosis in the U.S.

From Salon

“He’s a guy that can be a stabilizer,” said Vanney, whose team conceded a league-high 67 goals last season.

From Los Angeles Times

He says he searched for a year, on beaches from Myanmar to the Maldives, before finding his first piece, from the rear stabilizer of the plane, on a sandbar in Mozambique.

From BBC

Environmental Protection Agency applied a soil stabilizer to prevent ash and dust from dispersing.

From Seattle Times

The proteins act as a foam stabilizer – they hold the light, airy texture in the product.

From Salon

Related Words

• mediator
• referee