meta·sta·ble
ˌme-tə-ˈstā-bəl 
: having or characterized by only a slight margin of stability
a metastable compound
meta·stability
: the quality or state of being metastable
Examples of metastable in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Apr. 2026
Researchers reported the experimental realization of single-crystalline θ-phase tantalum nitride (θ-TaN), a metastable transition metal nitride predicted to overcome this limitation.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
Then, those metastable states de-excite, causing the emission of a gamma-ray.
—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
And there was no single form of equilibrium for a knitted sweater's resting shape; rather, there were multiple metastable states that were dependent on the fabric's history—the different ways it had been folded, stretched, or rumpled.
—
Ars Technica,
27 Dec. 2024
Under a metastable regime, information is continuously created, preserved and annihilated by spatiotemporally changing coalitions among parts and processes.
—
Neuroskeptic,
Discover Magazine,
14 July 2014
These are vanquished by the plasma's cargo of metastable helium atoms (which are roughly halfway between ground state and excited ionized state).
—
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Jan. 2010
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Adjective
These in-between phases are called metastable states, and their existence demonstrates that some phase transitions happen in steps, rather than all at once.
—
Shalma Wegsman,
Quanta Magazine,
27 Apr. 2026
Researchers reported the experimental realization of single-crystalline θ-phase tantalum nitride (θ-TaN), a metastable transition metal nitride predicted to overcome this limitation.
—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Jan. 2026
Then, those metastable states de-excite, causing the emission of a gamma-ray.
—
Ethan Siegel,
Big Think,
4 Sep. 2025
And there was no single form of equilibrium for a knitted sweater's resting shape; rather, there were multiple metastable states that were dependent on the fabric's history—the different ways it had been folded, stretched, or rumpled.
—
Ars Technica,
27 Dec. 2024
Under a metastable regime, information is continuously created, preserved and annihilated by spatiotemporally changing coalitions among parts and processes.
—
Neuroskeptic,
Discover Magazine,
14 July 2014
These are vanquished by the plasma's cargo of metastable helium atoms (which are roughly halfway between ground state and excited ionized state).
—
IEEE Spectrum,
29 Jan. 2010
Cite this Entry
“Metastable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metastable. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
metastable
adjective
meta·sta·ble
ˌmet-ə-ˈstā-bəl
: having or characterized by only a slight margin of stability
a metastable compound
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