stagnation

noun

stag·​na·​tion stag-ˈnā-shən 

: a stagnant state or condition : a state or condition marked by lack of flow, movement, or development

In short, the increasing contamination and stagnation of the segment of river had become a matter of concern.

—Ryan Holifield and Nick Schuelke

In 1664, when plague had struck Amsterdam again, with the usual stagnation of trade that followed its worst attacks, the sight of a shooting star was taken as axiomatic confirmation of divine displeasure.

—Simon Schama

Examples of stagnation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Foundation attributes the stagnation in Millennial incomes directly to the timing of recession entry. — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 3 July 2026

The former Scottish oil capital has suffered thousands of job losses and economic stagnation following the oil industry’s decline and has struggled to build the same momentum in offshore wind and hydrogen. — Heather Farmbrough, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Fatigue with the stagnation inherent in contemporary democratic institutions is among the key factors that make the promise to break through intransigence by autocratic leaders attractive to a plurality of voters. — Wendell Wallach, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026

But the data shows neither problem can be blamed solely on immigration, but rather years of economic stagnation and government mismanagement. — Kate Bartlett, NPR, 25 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stagnation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation