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

homeostatic

ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈsta-tik 

adjective

Examples of homeostasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Queen of Pentacles reminds you to balance ambition with self-care in order to achieve this homeostasis. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 June 2025

French physiologist Claude Bernard, meanwhile, came up with an idea of balance or stability of the body's internal environment (milieu intérieur), which was a precursor to the concept of homeostasis. —ArsTechnica, 30 Apr. 2025

This idea frames Earth as a living system in which all organisms influence the surrounding environment to maintain homeostasis (in other words, stability). —Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 13 May 2025

From a biological perspective, any system under stress defaults to homeostasis—a return to the familiar, even if the familiar is no longer effective. —Scott Hutcheson, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for homeostasis

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

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

homeostatic

-ˈstat-ik 

adjective

Medical Definition

homeostasis

noun

ho·​meo·​sta·​sis

variants or British homoeostasis

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

homeostatic adjective

or British homoeostatic

-ˈstat-ik 

homeostatically adjective

or British homoeostatically

-i-k(ə-)lē