stasis

1 of 2

noun

sta·​sis ˈstā-səs  ˈsta- 

plural stases ˈstā-ˌsēz  ˈsta- 

1

: a slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid: such as

a

: slowing of the current of circulating blood

b

: reduced motility of the intestines with retention of feces

2

a

: a state of static balance or equilibrium : stagnation

b

: a state or period of stability during which little or no evolutionary change in a lineage occurs

-stasis

2 of 2

noun combining form

plural -stases

1

: stoppage : slowing

hemostasis

bacteriostasis

2

: stable state

homeostasis

Synonyms

Noun

• equilibrium

Examples of stasis in a Sentence

Noun

The country is in economic stasis.

His art was characterized by bursts of creativity followed by long periods of stasis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While Michaels seems to have wanted a shake-up, the departure of unique voices feels less like a new vision and more like a return to stasis, especially given the number of recent hires on the chopping block. —Rosa Escandon, Forbes.com, 3 Sep. 2025

Nix throwing less this summer shouldn’t be confused with stasis. —Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 31 Aug. 2025

His federalizing of National Guard units has brought stasis to criminal justice in the District because judges and juries are not likely to indict or set trials because of questionable constitutionality. —Paul Bedard, The Washington Examiner, 30 Aug. 2025

Pagel describes species mostly being held in a kind of temporary stasis. —Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek, act or condition of standing, stopping, from histasthai to stand — more at stand

Noun combining form

New Latin, from Greek stasis

First Known Use

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for stasis

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

Medical Definition

stasis

noun

sta·​sis ˈstā-səs  ˈstas-əs 

plural stases ˈstā-ˌsēz  ˈstas-ˌēz 

: a slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid

biliary stasis

: as

a

: slowing of the current of circulating blood

b

: reduced motility of the intestines with retention of feces