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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Other Words from stable

Noun

stableman \ˈstā-bəl-mən,

-ˌman \ noun

Adjective

stableness \ˈstā-bəl-nəs

\ noun

stably \ˈstā-b(ə-)lē

\ adverb

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

The stables will also need about $500,000 more in funding to reach its goal of $5.35 million. — Elena Weissmann, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Urban horse therapy program coming to Milwaukee's Bay View area will be first of its kind," 4 July 2018 Livery: Casual dining in 1890s building that once housed stables; 720 N. College Ave. — Katherine Rodeghier, chicagotribune.com, "Midwest eats: Spice up your meal by dining in one of these repurposed restaurants," 26 June 2018 The day that Michael Gualtieri toured the racing stables in Louisiana wasn’t particularly memorable, except one of his colleagues was bitten by a horse. — Lori Riley, courant.com, "He Tried Hiding A Horse From His Wife, Now This West Hartford Business Owner Is Headed To The Kentucky Derby," 2 May 2018 A week before the Kentucky Derby, the horse will be shipped from Noseda’s stables in Newmarket, England. — Lorenzo Reyes, USA TODAY, "Rob Gronkowski the Patriots tight end buys stake in Gronkowski the Kentucky Derby horse," 18 Apr. 2018 This year, the money raised will go to infrastructure repairs at the stables, including fixing drainage problems between the two barns, replacing broken asphalt and building a compost pit. — Sheila Stroup, NOLA.com, "Urban cowboys (and girls): Benefit helps City Park stables," 14 Apr. 2018 As built over decades, Jam already has a stable of acts. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "Why restore the Uptown Theatre at all? It's savvy, and plus there's a better reason," 5 July 2018 The stables, which would take about a year to build, need approval from the Board of Zoning Appeals and Common Council. — Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Proposed Bay View stables to house Milwaukee Police Department horses, therapy horses," 7 June 2018 But thanks to a new stable of pop-up merch slingers from coast to coast—like the GX1000 crew, pictured here, whose rad five-panels rep their hometown of San Francisco—standard-issue five-panels feel fresher than ever. — The Editors Of Gq Style, GQ, "The 15 Raddest Dad Caps to Wear This Summer," 26 Apr. 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

To have something that was more stable and long-term would be amazing. — Miranda Katz, WIRED, "How an App Could Give Some Gig Workers a Safety Net," 9 July 2018 In general, wider boards are slower but more stable, and slimmer boards are faster but require better balance. — Dylan Silver, Outside Online, "The Best Stand-Up Paddleboards of 2018," 5 July 2018 This seems to be more stable than for a non-spinning glass ball, which is pretty cool. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Spinning glass ball rejects light from one direction," 27 June 2018 Away from rock bands, Ms. Parris also settled into a more stable personal life, living in the Duxbury house her parents once owned. — Bryan Marquard, BostonGlobe.com, "Rebecca Parris, 66, jazz singer of uncommon range and emotional depth," 19 June 2018 Of that number, 93 percent retained stable housing. — Laura A. Hobson, Cincinnati.com, "Interfaith Hospitality Network: A circle of community concern," 17 June 2018 Ice on the Eastern side, which is roughly the size of Australia, is known for being more stable than the Western side. — Sarah Gray, Fortune, "Antarctica's Rate of Melting Ice Has Tripled in the Last Decade, Study Says," 13 June 2018 Finally, the largest part of the continent, East Antarctica, has remained more stable and didn't contribute much ice to the ocean during the period of study, the assessment says. — Chris Mooney, courant.com, "Antarctic ice loss has tripled in a decade. If that continues we are in serious trouble.," 13 June 2018 Since 2001, the neighborhoods of lower Puna, Hawai‘i, have become far more stable. — Kimberly Dark, Curbed, "Living on the edge," 6 June 2018

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.