stable

¹

[ stey-buhl ]

noun

1. a building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.

   Synonyms: barn, mews

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.

verb (used with object)

, sta·bled, sta·bling.

1. to put or lodge in or as if in a stable.

verb (used without object)

, sta·bled, sta·bling.

1. to live in or as if in a stable.

stable

²

[ stey-buhl ]

adjective

, sta·bler, sta·blest.

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.

stable

¹

/ 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

verb

1. to put, keep, or be kept in a stable

stable

²

/ 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

stable

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• ˈstableness, noun
• ˈstably, adverb

Other Words From

• stable·like adjective
• un·stabled adjective

Word History and Origins

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; stand

Origin of stable²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stable¹

C13: from Old French estable cowshed, from Latin stabulum shed, from stāre to stand

Origin of stable²

C13: from Old French estable , from Latin stabilis steady, from stāre to stand

Idioms and Phrases

see lock the barn (stable) door after the horse has bolted .

Example Sentences

No matter how good your wifi is at home, a work computer could have a more stable connection.

From BBC

A five-year plan approved by regents in 2021 allows a one-time tuition increase tied to inflation for each class of incoming undergraduates, with no further changes for up to six years to provide a stable source of revenue for campuses and predictable college costs for students.

From Los Angeles Times

“If you have a decentralized network, then it’s a lot more stable. And they haven’t been considering that in the ways in which they should.”

From Los Angeles Times

This week’s staff reduction will bring JPL’s total workforce to about 5,500 employees, a number that managers expect will remain stable “for the foreseeable future,” Leshin told staff.

From Los Angeles Times

South Korea’s fertility rate — the average number of children a woman has in her lifetime — currently sits at 0.72, the lowest in the world and far below the 2.1 needed to maintain a stable population.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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