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stabilize

verb sta·bi·lize \ ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz \
|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

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

  1. The country's population has stabilized at 3.2 million.

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

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

  4. We'll use ropes to stabilize the platform.

  5. a process that stabilizes the vaccine

  6. drugs that stabilize a patient's heartbeat

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

Recent Examples of stabilize from the Web

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

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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STABILIZE Defined for Kids

stabilize

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

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

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