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

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

Maintain the body’s homeostasis Acupuncture is known to return your body to homeostasis. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 2 Nov. 2023

The body’s response is to lower its blood volume to restore homeostasis. —Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1926, in the meaning defined above

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