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

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 At one time, stables were scattered across the city. — David Mcfadden, The Seattle Times, "Ties between urban horsemen, Mennonites bolster old trade," 4 Sep. 2018 His property is located is on a private tract of land with its own horse barn and stables. — Katherine Clarke, WSJ, "The Secluded Island Hideaways for America’s Rich and Famous," 23 Aug. 2018 Naturally, Chiara documented the whole affair on Instagram and, just as naturally, the photos have garnered millions of likes and provided a new stable of wedding board Pinterest fodder for current brides-to-be everywhere. — Kayleigh Roberts, Marie Claire, "Influencer Chiara Ferragni Had a Super Pretty, Over-the-Top Wedding This Weekend," 2 Sep. 2018 Walled-in, abutting a weedy stretch of railroad tracks, the distillery was a picturesque assortment of dilapidated stables, a bottling facility, a carriage house, some offices and warehouses. — Michael Kimmelman, New York Times, "Shape-Shifting Art Tower Completes Prada’s City Within a City," 15 June 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

The two wounded service members were being treated for injuries and are in stable condition, the NATO Resolute Support mission said in a statement. — Fox News, "US service member killed, 2 wounded in 'apparent insider attack' in Afghanistan," 2 Oct. 2018 Lovato was reported to be in stable condition later that day. — Krystin Arneson, Glamour, "Demi Lovato Breaks Silence About Her Reported Overdose," 5 Aug. 2018 Failure to bridge the fiscal differences between Rome and Brussels could lead to the EU imposing fines on Italy for violating the fiscal treaty that is meant to keep the eurozone stable. — Giovanni Legorano, WSJ, "Italy Trims Spending Plans in Bid to Avoid EU Discipline," 12 Dec. 2018 According to reports, at least four people injured in the shooting are in stable condition and are being treated at various hospitals in the area. — Vogue, "At Least Four People Are Dead After at a Mass Shooting in Jacksonville, Florida," 26 Aug. 2018 Officials said that a new weir, or low dam, built outside the cave was helping to keep water levels relatively stable within. — New York Times, "8 Saved, 5 to Go in Thai Cave Rescue," 9 July 2018 The key to keeping your System 2 alert is to keep your glucose levels stable. — Paul C. Brunson, USA TODAY, "Paul C. Brunson: These 3 books are the best ever written on self-control and willpower," 5 July 2018 Keen also overbuilds and supports the frames to make sure the ramps remain stable, year after year. — Timothy Dahl, Popular Mechanics, "Big Air For a Higher Purpose," 6 Dec. 2018 The poll also found voter enthusiasm to be high in the days leading up to the election, with 85 percent of the poll respondents saying they are motivated to cast a ballot in the upcoming midterms, a number that’s remained stable since September. — Stavros Agorakis, Vox, "Poll: GOP voters blame news for division in America; Democrats blame Trump," 1 Nov. 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.