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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
Examples of homeostasis in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hormones help to insure homeostasis is maintained in our bodies.
—Essence, 29 May 2024
This complex system is responsible for maintaining homeostasis and plays a role in almost every physiological function.
—Carol Lee, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
This system promotes homeostasis while also playing a role in many functions and processes, including sleep, appetite, mood, and energy.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
These adaptations, which include energy homeostasis, fat deposition and control of starvation responses, may be interpreted as adaptations to local environmental conditions.
—Grrlscientist, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024
According to Park, heavy metals can affect ovarian aging in several ways, including disrupting hormone homeostasis and leading to endocrine imbalance.
—Michelle Pugle, Health, 31 Jan. 2024
In relation to the heart, research shows that calcium homeostasis is tied to cardiac cells, meaning that maintaining appropriate levels of calcium can lessen the chance of arrhythmia.
—Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 26 Dec. 2023
After the year of revenge travel (and flight costs rising with a similar vengeance), tourism might be settling into relative homeostasis in 2024.
—Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 19 Dec. 2023
One region of the brain involved in your response to these types of stresses is the hypothalamus, a structure deep in the brain that is involved in trying to keep the body in a stable state, known as homeostasis.
—Seena Mathew, Discover Magazine, 14 Dec. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'homeostasis.' 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
New Latin
First Known Use
1926, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near homeostasis
Cite this Entry
“Homeostasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeostasis. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
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
Medical Definition
homeostasis
noun
ho·meo·sta·sis
variants
or British homoeostasis
: 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
More from Merriam-Webster on homeostasis
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about homeostasis
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