stable

noun

sta·ble | \ ˈstā-bəl

Definition of stable

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed especially : such a building having stalls or compartments a horse stable

2a : the racehorses of one owner

b : a group of people (such as athletes, writers, or performers) under one management

c : the racing cars of one owner

d : group, collection

stable

verb

stabled; stabling\ ˈstā-b(ə-)liŋ

Definition of stable (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to put or keep in a stable

intransitive verb

: to dwell in or as if in a stable

stable

adjective

stabler\ ˈstā-b(ə-)lər

\; stablest\ ˈstā-b(ə-)ləst

Definition of stable (Entry 3 of 3)

1a : firmly established : fixed, steadfast stable opinions

b : not changing or fluctuating : unvarying in stable condition

c : permanent, enduring stable civilizations

2a : steady in purpose : firm in resolution

b : not subject to insecurity or emotional illness : sane, rational a stable personality

3a(1) : placed so as to resist forces tending to cause motion or change of motion

(2) : designed so as to develop forces that restore the original condition when disturbed from a condition of equilibrium or steady motion

b(1) : not readily altering in chemical makeup or physical state stable emulsions

(2) : not spontaneously radioactive

Other Words from stable Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about stable

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Synonyms & Antonyms for stable

Synonyms: Adjective

bombproof, fast, firm, sound, stalwart, strong, sturdy

Antonyms: Adjective

rickety, unsound, unstable, unsteady

Choose the Right Synonym for stable

Adjective

lasting, permanent, durable, stable mean enduring for so long as to seem fixed or established. lasting implies a capacity to continue indefinitely. a book that left a lasting impression on me permanent adds usually the implication of being designed or planned to stand or continue indefinitely. permanent living arrangements durable implies power to resist destructive agencies. durable fabrics stable implies lastingness because of resistance to being overturned or displaced. a stable government

Examples of stable in a Sentence

Noun

She rode the horse back to the stable. There have been three winners from his stable this season. A new model will be added to the car company's stable of sedans.

Verb

Where do you stable your horses?

Adjective

They have a stable relationship. Children need to be raised in a stable environment. Make sure the platform is stable.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Latifa lived in Dubai with a brother and a sister, in a compound that had its own sports facilities, including stables. — Adam Taylor, Washington Post, "India’s Modi authorized capture of runaway Dubai princess, newspaper claims," 28 Apr. 2018 Irvine Regional Park had some very badly burned areas, including the horse stables. — Jessica Peralta, latimes.com, "Wildland restoration efforts intensify after recent canyon fires," 9 Feb. 2018 Citrus gardens, wine cellars and horse stables are among the luxurious features in this week's most expensive home sales in metropolitan Phoenix. — Lorraine Longhi, azcentral, "Luxury homes: Restaurant/club owners buy $4.4M Paradise Valley mansion," 21 May 2018 Toronto’s newest attraction seemed destined to end up in the dignified solitude of a tycoon’s country home, somewhere behind the stables, perhaps. — Max Maeckler, Vogue, "Bjarke Ingels’s Serpentine Pavilion Is on a World Tour: First Stop, Toronto," 24 Sep. 2018 Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the stables attracted an array of aspiring competitive equestrians from all over North County. — Jeff Mcdonald, sandiegouniontribune.com, "#MeToo movement prompts disclosure of alleged sexual abuse at La Jolla Farms Stables," 8 July 2018 The family of Equest Farm Director Leslie Kramer, the Brupbachers, have donated $50,000 toward the 2018 Capital Improvement Project for the stables from their Benjamin Simon Brupbacher Jr. and Lois Weil Brupbacher Charitable Foundation. — Sue Strachan, NOLA.com, "Tails but no Black Tie a winner for Equest Farms," 3 June 2018 Kenneth Lijah Duyck, 20, entered the stables at a rural home in the 200 block of Northwest 334th Avenue near Hillsboro last week and targeted a black mare named Ellie, court records and the Washington County Sheriff's Office allege. — Shane Dixon Kavanaugh, OregonLive.com, "Oregon man confesses to sexually assaulting horse near Hillsboro, authorities say," 26 Apr. 2018 Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Koele Located in the central highlands, this plantation-style lodge has an orchid house, stables, and an old church on its grounds, offering a blend of refinement and Hawaiian aloha spirit. — Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Best Resorts in Hawaii: 2018 Readers' Choice Awards," 9 Oct. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Ritvo says he is not opposed to trainers stabling at Golden Gate and shipping to the fair circuit with no penalty. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Racing! What’s California racing without angst?," 15 June 2018 With Ernie Byfield's country house across the road at Grassmere Farms, Jack could offer equestrian activities to his brother's famous guests, as well as stabling Blaun Erickson's polo ponies in the summertime. — Barbara Benson, chicagotribune.com, "Column: Horses continue to make history in Barrington area," 5 July 2018 Both those horses, and Arrogate, were stabled in Southern California. — John Cherwa, latimes.com, "Gun Runner wins Eclipse Award for Horse of the Year," 26 Jan. 2018 The resort has both 6-seat ($90) and 12-seat carriages ($120) as well as special Sunday Triple Crown packages for $33 a person that include carriage ride, brunch buffet and stabling tour. — Amy Aumick, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Explore Florida's Marion County, where resorts cater to horses," 6 May 2018 The fire next to Liverpool’s Echo Arena also threatened horses that were stabled in the garage for performances at the Liverpool International Horse Show. — Car and Driver, "Old Land Rover Catches Fire, Destroys Roughly 1400 Cars in U.K.," 30 Jan. 2018 The title, a reference to the prize horses that are stabled in this upscale neighborhood, is also a metaphor that the story drives home in its less subtle moments: What happens when two well-groomed, hot-blooded mares begin acting up? — Justin Chang, latimes.com, "Cory Finley's 'Thoroughbreds' is a delectably twisted mean-girls noir," 8 Mar. 2018 Animalkind A common virus among horses resulted in the euthanasia of a racehorse Friday at Turfway Park and the quarantine of the barn where the horse was stabled. — Sheila Vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "Horse euthanized, barn placed in quarantine at Turfway Park," 5 Feb. 2018 Most of the horses that were stabled at the center are now at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. — J. Harry Jones, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Owners pledge to rebuild fire-damaged race horse training center in Bonsall," 15 Jan. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Her model explained why certain numbers of nucleons make for stable atomic configurations. — Jill Kiedaisch, Popular Mechanics, "32 Women Who’ve Changed Life As We Know It," 31 Mar. 2019 The combo of protein and fiber found in these little legumes helps slow down digestion, and therefore provides a more stable rise in blood sugar post-meal. — Jaclyn London, Ms, Rd, Cdn, Good Housekeeping, "How Healthy Is Chickpea Pasta? A Dietitian Weighs In on Nutrition and Weight-Loss Benefits," 25 Mar. 2019 Based on our experience, the Wear OS watches that fare the best are ones made by Fossil and its stable of brands (such as Skagen), which are available in a variety of styles and sizes. — Dan Seifert, The Verge, "The best smartwatch to buy for iPhone and Android," 21 Dec. 2018 But in late October, Apple announced a new addition (and edition) to their laptop stable, introducing the new MacBook Air, which completely upgraded the beloved lightweight Air of previous years. — Teen Vogue, "MacBook Air Review: YouTuber Jeanine Amapola Shares the Best Parts of the New Laptop," 16 Nov. 2018 So there’s so much evidence now that practical help through that incredibly difficult period can help keep families together and kids growing up in a more stable home and on the right track. — Eric Johnson, Recode, "We have to rewrite antitrust law to deal with tech monopolies, says ‘Positive Populism’ author Steve Hilton," 24 Oct. 2018 The Tigers also boast a stable of upperclassmen on the defensive line that should pose a challenge for Adams. — Conor Orr, SI.com, "An NFL Fan’s Viewing Guide to the 2019 College Football Season," 13 July 2018 Cartridges, diskettes, and CD-ROMs all contained full, unchanging versions of games that were forever compatible with the similarly stable hardware they were designed to be played on. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, "Google's 'Stadia' Is the Latest Attack in the War on Games You Can Actually Own," 19 Mar. 2019 Senegal’s President Marky Sall won re-election, capping days of tense vote tallying following an unusually violent campaign in one of Africa’s most stable democracies. — Nicholas Bariyo, WSJ, "Senegal’s President Re-Elected After Race Tested by Violence," 28 Feb. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.