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

Which in our case was a 50-1000mm lens, which is like a twenty-pound lens that requires this massive stabilizer. —Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 4 Mar. 2026

Another ingredient made from the tree is tara gum, which has been safely used for years as a thickening agent or stabilizer in foods. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 3 Mar. 2026

The gust tore the vertical fin from the tail and hurled it into the left horizontal stabilizer, which broke off in turn. —Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Gold can serve as the stabilizer, silver can add growth sensitivity, and platinum or palladium can introduce exposure to industrial demand trends. —Angelica Leicht, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stabilizer

• mood stabilizer

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