stabilize

verb

sta·​bi·​lize ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

stabilized; stabilizing

transitive verb

1

: to make stable, steadfast, or firm

2

: to hold steady: such as

a

: to maintain the stability of (something, such as an airplane) by means of a stabilizer

b

: to limit fluctuations of

stabilize prices

c

: to establish a minimum price for

intransitive verb

: to become stable, firm, or steadfast

stabilization

ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of stabilize in a Sentence

The country's population has stabilized at 3.2 million.

The government's efforts to stabilize prices have not succeeded.

Even the administration's most vocal critics agree that the President has succeeded in stabilizing the economy.

We'll use ropes to stabilize the platform.

a process that stabilizes the vaccine

drugs that stabilize a patient's heartbeat

The pilots were able to stabilize the airplane and land safely.

Recent Examples on the Web

The two built the models that modern central banks use to stabilize the economy, shifting macro policymakers’ focus from big economic variables like inflation and unemployment to the actual decisions of individuals. — Dario Marino, Washington Post, 21 Oct. 2026

Neighborhood leaders hope to see the buildings secured, stabilized and returned to use as housing. — Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2026

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said service had partially stabilized for terminals moving below about 160 km/h, but as of the weekend, Zelensky said the cap remained in place. — Steven John, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2026

The findings suggest that microbial fibers could offer a biodegradable alternative to some synthetic materials used to stabilize soil. — Muskan Bhatia, Interesting Engineering, 19 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for stabilize

• advertise
• aggrandize
• alibis
• alkalies
• alkalis
• amortize
• amplifies
• analyse
• analyze
• anywise
• authorize
• butterflies

Kids Definition

stabilize

verb

sta·​bi·​lize ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

stabilized; stabilizing

1

: to make or become stable, fixed, or firm

2

: to hold steady (as by means of a stabilizer)

stabilization

ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

stabilize

verb

sta·​bi·​lize

variants also British stabilise

ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

stabilized also British stabilised; stabilizing also British stabilising

transitive verb

: to make stable

stabilize a patient's condition

intransitive verb

: to become stable

when pulse and blood pressure respond and stabilize

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

stabilization noun

also British stabilisation

ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən