homeostasis

noun

ho·meo·sta·sis | \ ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈstā-səs

Definition of homeostasis

: 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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Examples of homeostasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Likewise, healthy sleep habits that foster physical homeostasis and more efficient immune system functioning also significantly reduce our risk for depression, anxiety and bipolar illness. — Jessica L. Borelli, Scientific American, "The Pandemic Doesn't Mean We Have to Choose between Physical and Mental Health," 7 Apr. 2021 Deep inside a cave of bats, Zimmer discovers yet another defining feature of life: homeostasis, the maintenance of constancy. — New York Times, "What Does It Mean to Be a Living Thing?," 24 Mar. 2021 Finding a place of homeostasis in your external life can create an optimal environment for growth and productivity. — Serena Poon, Forbes, "Leveraging Mindful Practices To Maximize Productivity," 18 Mar. 2021 His laboratory focuses on the role that microbial communities play in human homeostasis, health and disease. — David Pride, Scientific American, "Viruses Can Help Us as Well as Harm Us," 7 Dec. 2020 After a few months, people's bodies naturally adapt to the status quo, a state of internal stability that biologists call homeostasis. — Ryan Prior, CNN, "How to find resilience during the coronavirus pandemic," 2 July 2020 This diurnal feedback loop is the crux of homeostasis, or biological equilibrium, but all musicians know what can happen when the conductor of the orchestra misses a beat. — New York Times, "Circadian Rhythms: The Conductor of Our Body’s Symphony," 7 May 2020 Anxiety is our body’s way of maintaining homeostasis and safety and protection. — Jeff Forward, Houston Chronicle, "Villager Q&A: Local mental health expert explains anxiety and how to monitor stress," 9 Apr. 2020 Indeed, one of the survival traits of human beings is psychological homeostasis, or the tendency to get used to circumstances quickly, both good and bad. — Arthur C. Brooks, The Atlantic, "The Three Equations for a Happy Life," 9 Apr. 2020

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.

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Last Updated

12 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Homeostasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homeostasis. Accessed 18 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for homeostasis

homeostasis

noun

ho·meo·sta·sis

variants: or British homoeostasis \ ˌhō-mē-ō-ˈstā-səs

Medical Definition of homeostasis

: 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

Other Words from homeostasis

homeostatic or British homoeostatic \ -ˈstat-ik

\ adjective

homeostatically or British homoeostatically \ -i-k(ə-)lē

\ adjective

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