1
: a building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed
especially
: such a building having stalls or compartments
a horse stable
2
a
: the racehorses of one owner
b
: a group of people (such as athletes, writers, or performers) under one management
c
: the racing cars of one owner
d
: group, collection
stabler
ˈstā-b(ə-)lər 
; stablest
ˈstā-b(ə-)ləst
; stablest
ˈstā-b(ə-)ləst
1
2
3
a(1)
: placed so as to resist forces tending to cause motion or change of motion
(2)
: designed so as to develop forces that restore the original condition when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion
b(1)
: not readily altering in chemical makeup or physical state
stable emulsions
(2)
: not spontaneously radioactive
Synonyms
Examples of stable in a Sentence
Noun
She rode the horse back to the stable.
There have been three winners from his stable this season.
A new model will be added to the car company's stable of sedans.
Verb
Where do you stable your horses?
Adjective
They have a stable relationship.
Children need to be raised in a stable environment.
Make sure the platform is stable.
Recent Examples on the Web
Andrew O’Hagan, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The Annie comes in a stable of classic colors as well as some fun and funky patterns, but my personal favorite is the classic Sequoia hue, which can be shined up for a night out or be worn out on a trail ride.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Surroundings walls reflect former horse stables turned marble factory turned residences that are also filled with graffiti tags, paste-ups and messages from many visitors.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
While that trio, plus 2023 rookie sensation Bobby Miller, gave the Dodgers a formidable stable of front-line arms, the group was still entering 2024 with myriad questions about each pitcher’s potential workload.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024
The building had steel frames for durability, a layout that accommodated multiple families, and an onboard stable to house farm animals in times of flooding.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
There are two private villas, while the main building and former laundry and stables accommodate 15 bedrooms.
—Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024
The property, listed in February, also includes a more than 1,700-square-foot barn with stables and a riding arena.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 14 Mar. 2024
Noah’s Daily Show had its own strengths, gradually built up a strong stable of correspondents like Roy Wood Jr., and even won an Emmy for its final season.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
Del Mar cannot expand its stable area, which could create a problem, although Los Alamitos is also used for stabling.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
According to the form, all starters and also-eligible horses for the Kentucky Derby must be stabled at Churchill Downs by 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.
—Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 31 Jan. 2024
The area became popular with wealthy residents and their horse stables, a South County version of Rancho Santa Fe.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Oct. 2023
There was a rose garden and chandeliers, horse stables for equine therapy, yoga and an on-site chef who cooked only organic food — all for $40,000 a month.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
The teams spent half the year at Jones’ farm and stables in Florida.
—Adam England, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2023
Other notable features include heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, a mosque, and stables with enough room to accommodate up to 10 horses.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 July 2023
Enjoy snowy wonderland, reindeer stables, elves workshop, Mrs. Claus' old-fashioned kitchen and Santa himself.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 17 July 2023
Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene and transported the officer to JMH Ryder Trauma Center where he was listed in stable condition and a bystander was transported to HCA Kendall Trauma Center in critical condition.
—Ahmad Hemingway, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2024
Heel cupping, rebound support, and arch support make these feel stable enough for consistent everyday wear with no discomfort included.
—Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
Employment growth has been red hot, ostensibly too fast for low and stable inflation.
—Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Independents account for over 80% of the sectors’ new releases and jobs, providing stable and exciting opportunities for artists, fans and music employees across Europe.
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
Also helps regulate blood sugar levels, resulting in more stable energy levels throughout the day.
—Weight Loss Advisors, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Ethan always appeared to be a very stable individual.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Remarkably, the ostrich didn't sustain any serious injuries while dodging cars and returned to the zoo in stable condition, the zoo's owner, Choi Yun-joo, told Reuters.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
Noun
Attending to a stable of Dickensian types, McLaren was part Fagin, part Uriah Heep, up from the streets to magnify your life and pick your pockets.
—Andrew O’Hagan, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2024
The Annie comes in a stable of classic colors as well as some fun and funky patterns, but my personal favorite is the classic Sequoia hue, which can be shined up for a night out or be worn out on a trail ride.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024
Surroundings walls reflect former horse stables turned marble factory turned residences that are also filled with graffiti tags, paste-ups and messages from many visitors.
Passport: Explore the finest destinations and experiences around the world in the Forbes Passport newsletter.
—Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024
While that trio, plus 2023 rookie sensation Bobby Miller, gave the Dodgers a formidable stable of front-line arms, the group was still entering 2024 with myriad questions about each pitcher’s potential workload.
—Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 23 Jan. 2024
The building had steel frames for durability, a layout that accommodated multiple families, and an onboard stable to house farm animals in times of flooding.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024
There are two private villas, while the main building and former laundry and stables accommodate 15 bedrooms.
—Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024
The property, listed in February, also includes a more than 1,700-square-foot barn with stables and a riding arena.
—Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 14 Mar. 2024
Noah’s Daily Show had its own strengths, gradually built up a strong stable of correspondents like Roy Wood Jr., and even won an Emmy for its final season.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 12 Feb. 2024
Verb
Two fire pits, a patio, hot tub, and wooded walking trails are set just a few feet away from one another outdoors, including the animal stables.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024
Del Mar cannot expand its stable area, which could create a problem, although Los Alamitos is also used for stabling.
—Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Mar. 2024
According to the form, all starters and also-eligible horses for the Kentucky Derby must be stabled at Churchill Downs by 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27.
—Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, 31 Jan. 2024
The area became popular with wealthy residents and their horse stables, a South County version of Rancho Santa Fe.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Oct. 2023
There was a rose garden and chandeliers, horse stables for equine therapy, yoga and an on-site chef who cooked only organic food — all for $40,000 a month.
—Teo Armus, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023
The teams spent half the year at Jones’ farm and stables in Florida.
—Adam England, Peoplemag, 10 Sep. 2023
Other notable features include heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, a mosque, and stables with enough room to accommodate up to 10 horses.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 July 2023
Enjoy snowy wonderland, reindeer stables, elves workshop, Mrs. Claus' old-fashioned kitchen and Santa himself.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 17 July 2023
Adjective
The wounded officer, who has been with Doral police for four years, was taken in stable condition to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Center and expected to recover.
—Charles Rabin and, Miami Herald, 9 Apr. 2024
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene and transported the officer to JMH Ryder Trauma Center where he was listed in stable condition and a bystander was transported to HCA Kendall Trauma Center in critical condition.
—Ahmad Hemingway, ABC News, 6 Apr. 2024
Heel cupping, rebound support, and arch support make these feel stable enough for consistent everyday wear with no discomfort included.
—Jessica Booth, Parents, 5 Apr. 2024
Employment growth has been red hot, ostensibly too fast for low and stable inflation.
—Wendy Edelberg and Tara Watson, TIME, 5 Apr. 2024
Independents account for over 80% of the sectors’ new releases and jobs, providing stable and exciting opportunities for artists, fans and music employees across Europe.
—Kristin Robinson, Billboard, 4 Apr. 2024
Also helps regulate blood sugar levels, resulting in more stable energy levels throughout the day.
—Weight Loss Advisors, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Ethan always appeared to be a very stable individual.
—Tresa Baldas, Detroit Free Press, 3 Apr. 2024
Remarkably, the ostrich didn't sustain any serious injuries while dodging cars and returned to the zoo in stable condition, the zoo's owner, Choi Yun-joo, told Reuters.
—Kelli Bender, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabulum, from stare to stand — more at stand
Adjective
Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis, from stare to stand
First Known Use
Noun
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense
Adjective
13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of stable was
in the 13th century
Phrases Containing stable
Dictionary Entries Near stable
Cite this Entry
“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stable. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
stable
1 of 3 noun
sta·ble
ˈstā-bəl
1
: a building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed
especially
: such a building having stalls or compartments
a horse stable
2
a
: the racehorses of one owner
b
: a group of athletes (as boxers) under one management
stable
3 of 3 adjective
stabler
-b(ə-)lər
; stablest
-b(ə-)ləst
; stablest
-b(ə-)ləst
1
2
3
: not readily changing in chemical composition or physical state
a stable compound
Etymology
Noun
Middle English stable "a place where animals are sheltered," from early French estable (same meaning), from Latin stabulum (same meaning), from stare "to stand"
Adjective
Middle English stable "fixed, not moving or changing," from early French estable (same meaning), from Latin stabilis (same meaning), from stare "to stand"
Medical Definition
stable
adjective
sta·ble
ˈstā-bəl
stabler
-b(ə-)lər
; stablest
-b(ə-)ləst
; stablest
-b(ə-)ləst
1
: not changing or fluctuating
the patient's condition was listed as stable
2
: not subject to insecurity or emotional illness
a stable personality
3
a
: not readily altering in chemical makeup or physical state
stable emulsions
b
: not spontaneously radioactive
a stable isotope
More from Merriam-Webster on stable
Nglish: Translation of stable for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of stable for Arabic Speakers
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