homeostasis

noun

ho·​meo·​sta·​sis ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈstā-səs 

: a relatively stable state of equilibrium or a tendency toward such a state between the different but interdependent elements or groups of elements of an organism, population, or group

striving to achieve homeostasis

homeostatic

ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈsta-tik 

adjective

Examples of homeostasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Queen of Pentacles reminds you to balance ambition with self-care in order to achieve this homeostasis. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 July 2025

The finger-pointing status quo has become a politically safe homeostasis absolving them all of direct accountability. —Max Taves, Mercury News, 31 May 2025

Wound healing involves four stages: homeostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.1 The skin is the body's largest organ and is a barrier to germs, injury, chemicals, and ultraviolet (UV) light. —Michael Menna, Verywell Health, 17 Jan. 2025

Additionally, beneath the iceberg of awareness, our brains are keeping track of the mosaic of physical variables — body temperature, blood glucose level, heart rate, respiration, and so on — that must remain stable, in a state known as homeostasis, to keep us alive. —Conor Feehly, Quanta Magazine, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for homeostasis

• anabasis
• cholestasis
• haemostasis
• hemostasis
• hypostasis
• atelectasis
• bronchiectasis
• basis
• glacis
• mesas
• stasis
• oasis

Kids Definition

homeostasis

noun

ho·​meo·​sta·​sis ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈstā-səs 

: a tendency for the conditions inside the body of an animal (as a mammal) to stay pretty much the same even when outside environmental conditions (as temperature) change

homeostatic

-ˈstat-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

homeostasis

noun

ho·​meo·​sta·​sis

variants or British homoeostasis

ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈstā-səs 

: the maintenance of relatively stable internal physiological conditions (as body temperature or the pH of blood) in higher animals under fluctuating environmental conditions

also : the process of maintaining a stable psychological state in the individual under varying psychological pressures or stable social conditions in a group under varying social, environmental, or political factors

homeostatic adjective

or British homoeostatic

-ˈstat-ik 

homeostatically adjective

or British homoeostatically

-i-k(ə-)lē