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 surgery usually involves aligning the bones anatomically and then stabilizing the fracture with a metal plate and screws. —Harlan Selesnick, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2024

These medicines stabilize the existing clot and prevent new clots from forming. —Lisa Sanders, M.d., New York Times, 12 Apr. 2024

The fish’s condition stabilized, and on Thursday it was transported by Ripley’s Aquariums Conservation Team to a more permanent Mote quarantine facility for rehabilitation. —Jen Christensen, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

However, with staying open longer, there’s a real opportunity to engage local communities year-round, not to mention stabilize the hiring pool—and improve work culture. —Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Apr. 2024

While proposing the fire and police department budgets, Duggan praised the city's emergency responders for dropping response times to less than eight minutes, adding that employees are in the process of cross-training ensure all are equipped to stabilize patients. —Detroit Free Press, 9 Apr. 2024

He was taken to an area hospital with critical injuries and stabilized. —Jason Green, The Mercury News, 9 Apr. 2024

The ingredients include powerful botanicals like white mulberry, and Indian barberry that will help boost metabolism, stabilize blood glucose levels, and thus promote healthy weight loss. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 6 Apr. 2024

Doctors in Idaho who provide abortions, even to stabilize a pregnant patient with a complication, face a felony punishable by up to two to five years in prison. —Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 3 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

—Journal of the American Medical Association

stabilization noun

also British stabilisation

ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən