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 carbon overlayer regulates subsequent growth, potentially limiting uneven deposition and stabilizing the region where tin and lithium interact. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Nov. 2026

Lateral Raises Lateral raises strengthen the side deltoids, which help lift your arms away from your body and stabilize your shoulders. — Jakob Roze, HEALTH, 3 Nov. 2026

Along with heme, the study authors found the bone contained traces of manganese oxides, minerals that may have further helped stabilize and preserve the cells. — Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 2026

HarvEast is holding wheat in enormous silo bags, waiting for market prices to stabilize. — ABC News, 3 Nov. 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