stabilize

play

verb sta·bi·lize \ ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz \

Definition of stabilize

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

play \ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

See stabilize defined for English-language learners

See stabilize defined for kids

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 of stabilize from the Web

In the past, neighboring Alberta has killed off wolves by poisoning or shooting them by helicopter in order to stabilize its Little Smoky caribou herd.

— joshua rapp learn, Smithsonian, "How Killing Moose Can Save Caribou," 29 Aug. 2017
Insurers are also awaiting Senate hearings set to start on Sept. 6 for a hint of what steps, if any, lawmakers may take to stabilize the market.

— reed abelson, New York Times, "Trump’s Threats on Health Law Hide an Upside: Gains Made by Some Insurers," 26 Aug. 2017
In the beginning, when everyone was in divorce chaos, my job was to be a solid third parent and a stabilizing force.

— Redbook, "Why "Stepmother" Shouldn't Be a Dirty Word," 16 Aug. 2017
One of the issues was, there was so much infrastructure work below ground, in terms of stabilizing, archeological and ecological safety guards, the enormous amount of concrete that had to be poured.

— rebecca keegan, HWD, "New Academy President John Bailey on Diversity, Museum Plans, and the Oscars Telecast," 15 Aug. 2017
In the House, a group of about 40 centrist lawmakers hopes to lead the effort to stabilize the Obamacare exchanges.

— alexandra desanctis, National Review, "Health-Care Reform Can’t Die," 3 Aug. 2017
Republicans may be tempted to insist that Trumpcare’s orphans be included in any bipartisan legislation to stabilize health-insurance markets.

— ed kilgore, Daily Intelligencer, "Trumpcare’s ‘Orphans’ Must Search for New Homes," 19 July 2017
A. When a shoulder pops out of place (dislocates) the structures stabilizing the shoulder get injured.

— dr. harlan selesnick, miamiherald, "When a teenager dislocates his shoulder, surgery is often needed to stabilize it," 17 July 2017
Since the concordat was launched, public support for animal research has stabilized in the United Kingdom, although showing cause and effect is difficult.

— meredith wadman, Science | AAAS, "To woo public, Europe opens up on animal experiments, but U.S. less transparent," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stabilize.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of stabilize

1861

STABILIZE Defined for Kids

stabilize

play

verb sta·bi·lize \ ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz \

Definition of stabilize for Students

stabilized; stabilizing

:to make or become unlikely to change suddenly or greatly

—

stabilizer

noun

Medical Dictionary

stabilize

verb sta·bi·lize

variants: also British stabilise play \ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz\

medical Definition of stabilize

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
—Journal of the American Medical Association

—

stabilization

also British stabilisation play \ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən\ noun

Learn More about stabilize

Spanish Central: Translation of stabilize Nglish: Translation of stabilize for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of stabilize for Arabic speakers

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stabilize

Definition of stabilize

stabilization

Examples of stabilize in a Sentence

Recent Examples of stabilize from the Web

First Known Use of stabilize

STABILIZE Defined for Kids

stabilize

Definition of stabilize for Students

stabilizer

Medical Dictionary

stabilize

medical Definition of stabilize

stabilization

Learn More about stabilize

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stabilize

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stabilization

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STABILIZE Defined for Kids

stabilize

Definition of stabilize for Students

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Medical Dictionary

stabilize

medical Definition of stabilize

stabilization

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