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

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homeostatic

play \ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈsta-tik\ adjective

See homeostasis defined for kids

Recent Examples of homeostasis from the Web

On a molecular level, the defended set points for cellular homeostasis are altered.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Autism study questions and answers," 26 May 2017
Unlike my other grade school teachers, who often expressed personal offense when my classmates (never me) were out of line, Ms. DeRoss strove for homeostasis in the classroom and in her own demeanor.

— dahlia bazzaz, The Seattle Times, "Weird, wonderful, or both? We asked the newsroom which teachers they’ve changed their minds about," 3 May 2017
But the case for selection can only be definitively made with an experimental study targeted to address the role of these genes in maintaining cholesterol homeostasis.

— aatish bhatia, WIRED, "Milk, meat and blood: how diet drives natural selection in the Maasai," 30 Sep. 2012
Warmer weather leads to more sweating and a greater need for our bodies to maintain homeostasis and a healthy temperature.

— amanda oppenheim, baltimoresun.com, "Summer is a great time to get healthy and enjoy yourself," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'homeostasis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of homeostasis

New Latin

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1926

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Other Psychology Terms

fetish, hypochondria, intelligence, mania, narcissism, neurosis, pathological, psychosis, schadenfreude, subliminal

Medical Dictionary

homeostasis

noun ho·meo·sta·sis

variants: or British homoeostasis play \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

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