Stable definition

stābəl
stabled stabler stables stablest stabling
See word origin
Frequency:
To live in a stable.
verb
14
11
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.
10
8
The definition of stable is something steady that is not prone to change, someone who is level headed and who isn't subject to wild swings of emotion.

An example of stable is a product that has a steady and unchanging price.

An example of stable is a person who has a good handle on her life and her emotions.

adjective
1
1
Stable is defined as a location where animals, especially horses, are housed.

An example of a stable is an area of a barn where horses live in their own individual stalls.

noun
1
1
(chemistry) Not easily decomposed or otherwise modified chemically.
adjective
1
1
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Not subject to sudden or extreme change or fluctuation.

A stable economy; a stable currency.

adjective
1
1
Not showing or marked by erratic or volatile emotions or behavior.

He remained stable even after he lost his job.

adjective
1
1
A group of animals lodged in such a building.
noun
1
1
Capable of returning to equilibrium or original position after having been displaced.
adjective
1
1
(nuclear physics) Incapable of radioactive decay.
adjective
1
1
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(informal) All the athletes, writers, performers, etc. under one management, with one agent, etc.
noun
1
1
A building, wing or dependency set apart and adapted for lodging and feeding (training) animals with hoofs, especially horses.

There were stalls for fourteen horses in the squire's stables.

noun
1
1
(metonymically) All the racehorses of a particular stable, i.e. belonging to a given owner.
noun
1
1
To put or keep (horse) in a stable.
verb
1
1
(rail transport) To park (a rail vehicle)
verb
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1
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Not likely to break down, fall apart, or give way; fixed.
adjective
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0
Firm in character, purpose, or resolution; steadfast.
adjective
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0
Reliable, dependable.
adjective
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0
Emotionally steady; composed; self-possessed.
adjective
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0
Mentally sound; sane; rational.
adjective
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0
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Not readily decomposing or changing from one state of matter to another.
adjective
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0
Not undergoing spontaneous change.
adjective
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0
A building in which horses or cattle are sheltered and fed.
noun
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A group of animals kept or belonging in such a building.
noun
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0
All the racehorses belonging to one owner.
noun
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0
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The people employed to take care of and train such a group of racehorses.
noun
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0
Relating to an atom or chemical element that is unlikely to share electrons with another atom or element.
2
3
Relatively unchanging, permanent; firmly fixed or established; consistent; not easily moved, altered, or destroyed.

He was in a stable relationship.

A stable government.

adjective
2
3
To put or keep in a stable.
verb
1
2
Not likely to change or be affected adversely; lasting; enduring.
adjective
1
2
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(physics) Having no known mode of decay; indefinitely long-lived. Used of atomic particles.
adjective
0
1
Resistant to change of position or condition; not easily moved or disturbed.

A house built on stable ground; a stable platform.

adjective
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1
Maintaining equilibrium; self-restoring.

A stable aircraft.

adjective
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1
Consistent or dependable.

She has been stable in her support for the project.

adjective
0
1
A group, as of athletes or entertainers, under common management.

A stable of prizefighters.

noun
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1
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A building for the shelter and feeding of certain domestic animals, especially horses.
noun
0
1
All the racehorses belonging to a single owner or racing establishment.
noun
0
1
The personnel employed to keep and train such a group of racehorses.
noun
0
1
Not easily moved or thrown off balance; firm; steady.
adjective
0
1
Not easily decomposed or otherwise modified chemically.
adjective
7
9
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To lodge, keep, or be kept in or as in a stable.
verb
0
2
Resistant to change of position or condition.
adjective
0
2
Having no known mode of decay; indefinitely long-lived. Used of atomic particles.
adjective
0
2
Relating to a chemical compound that does not easily decompose or change into other compounds. Water is an example of a stable compound.
0
2
Not likely to change significantly or to deteriorate suddenly, as an individual's medical condition.
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2
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Not showing or marked by erratic or volatile emotions or behavior.
adjective
4
7
Enduring or permanent.

A stable peace.

adjective
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16

Other Word Forms

Noun

Singular:
stable
Plural:
stables

Adjective

Base Form:
stable
Comparative:
stabler
Superlative:
stablest

Origin of stable

  • Middle English from Old French estable from Latin stabulum stable, standing place stā- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English from Old French estable from Latin stabilis stā- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English, from Old French estable, from Latin stabulum (“stall, stand")orMiddle English, from Anglo-Norman; Old French estable, from Latin stabilis (itself from stare (“stand") + -abilis (“able"))

    From Wiktionary

  • From Latin stabilis (itself from stare (“stand") + -abilis (“able"))

    From Wiktionary

Stable Sentence Examples

  • I think a few days cleaning in the stable would pay for it.

  • I'll go stable the horse.

  • They need markets to sell goods in and stable currencies.

  • The stable manure is taken into the tortuous passages of these cellars, and the spawn introduced from masses of dry dung where it occurs naturally.

  • They, and also the inhabitants of central Italy, are more industrious than the inhabitants of the southern provinces, who have by no means recovered from centuries of misgovernment and oppression, and are naturally more hot-blooded and excitable, but less stable, capable of organization or trustworthy.

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