homeostasis

[ hoh-mee-uh-stey-sis ]

noun

1. the tendency of a system, especially the physiological system of higher animals, to maintain internal stability, owing to the coordinated response of its parts to any situation or stimulus that would tend to disturb its normal condition or function. Compare allostasis ( def ).
2. Psychology. a state of psychological equilibrium obtained when tension or a drive has been reduced or eliminated.
3. Entomology. the ability of members of a colony of social insects to behave cooperatively to produce a desired result, as when bees coordinate the fanning of their wings to cool the hive.

homeostasis

/ ˌhəʊmɪəʊˈstætɪk; ˌhəʊmɪəʊˈsteɪsɪs /

noun

1. the maintenance of metabolic equilibrium within an animal by a tendency to compensate for disrupting changes
2. the maintenance of equilibrium within a social group, person, etc

homeostasis

/ hō′mē-ō-stā′sĭs /

1. The tendency of an organism or cell to regulate its internal conditions, such as the chemical composition of its body fluids, so as to maintain health and functioning, regardless of outside conditions. The organism or cell maintains homeostasis by monitoring its internal conditions and responding appropriately when these conditions deviate from their optimal state. The maintenance of a steady body temperature in warm-blooded animals is an example of homeostasis. In human beings, the homeostatic regulation of body temperature involves such mechanisms as sweating when the internal temperature becomes excessive and shivering to produce heat, as well as the generation of heat through metabolic processes when the internal temperature falls too low.

homeostasis

1. The tendency of the body to seek and maintain a condition of balance or equilibrium within its internal environment, even when faced with external changes. A simple example of homeostasis is the body's ability to maintain an internal temperature around 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit (see also Fahrenheit ), whatever the temperature outside.

Derived Forms

• homeostatic, adjective

Other Words From

• ho·me·o·stat·ic [hoh-mee-, uh, -, stat, -ik], adjective
• ho·me·o·stat·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of homeostasis¹

First recorded in 1925–30; homeo- + stasis

Related Words

• equilibrium