stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

plural stabilizers

: one that stabilizes something: such as

a

: a substance added to another substance (such as an explosive or plastic) or to a system (such as an emulsion) to prevent or delay an unwanted alteration of physical state

b

: a gyroscope device to keep ships steady in a heavy sea

c

: an airfoil providing stability for an airplane

specifically : the fixed horizontal member of the tail assembly see airplane illustration

Examples of stabilizer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Baltic states ordered a raft of these dedicated stabilizers ahead of their recent shift from syncing with Russia’s grid to Europe’s. NESO, however, is taking a different tack in its preparation for zero-carbon operation. —IEEE Spectrum, 4 Aug. 2025

The first-of-its-kind device could vastly improve treatment, convenience and drug safety for millions of patients who take lithium—a type of mood stabilizer—for bipolar disorder. —Hannah Millington, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 July 2025

But another possibility is that makers are using the UV-protection feature that the light stabilizer provides to extend the shelf life of drugs. —ArsTechnica, 10 July 2025

Heat especially can affect people who take psychotropic medications, which include antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers. —Natalie Eilbert, jsonline.com, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stabilizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• crystallizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer

Kids Definition

stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

: one (as a chemical or a device) that stabilizes something

especially : a fixed surface for stabilizing the motion of an airplane

Medical Definition

stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er

variants also British stabiliser

ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

: one that stabilizes something

especially : a substance added to another substance or to a system (as an emulsion) to prevent or retard an unwanted alteration of physical state