stable

1 of 3

noun

sta·​ble ˈstā-bəl How to pronounce stable (audio)
1
: a building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed
especially : such a building having stalls or compartments
a horse stable
2
a
: 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

stable

2 of 3

verb

stabled; stabling ˈstā-b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce stable (audio)

transitive verb

: to put or keep in a stable

intransitive verb

: to dwell in or as if in a stable

stable

3 of 3

adjective

1
a
: firmly established : fixed, steadfast
stable opinions
b
: not changing or fluctuating : unvarying
in stable condition
c
: permanent, enduring
stable civilizations
2
a
: steady in purpose : firm in resolution
b
: not subject to insecurity or emotional illness : sane, rational
a stable personality
3
a(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
stableness noun
stably adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for stable

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
Bella Venice’s latest Fall/Winter 2024 collection focuses on transition pieces for your fall wardrobe, which include a few wardrobe stables that can realistically be worn year-round. Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024 New to the stable of EssilorLuxottica brands, Moncler debuted at the show, split between two collections, heritage and sport. Thomas Waller, WWD, 10 Oct. 2024
Verb
Another Sforza, Duke Sforza Maria, stabled his finest horses in the area, which led to the creation of the town’s Palio, a race similar to the famous one in Siena. Catherine Sabino, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024 If the road is closed, hikers must park at the horse stables and walk a half-mile to the trailhead. Katie Linsky Shaw, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2024
Adjective
The six victims who were wounded were taken to the Orlando Regional Medical Center and were in stable condition, Smith said. Thao Nguyen, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024 The 26-year-old was transported to a local hospital and reportedly is in stable condition, according to Dallas PD, who had officers arrive to the scene at approximately 5:52 pm CT. Michael Saponara, Billboard, 5 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for stable 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabulum, from stare to stand — more at stand

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French estable, stable, from Latin stabilis, from stare to stand

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of stable was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near stable

Cite this Entry

“Stable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stable. Accessed 11 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

stable

1 of 3 noun
sta·​ble ˈstā-bəl How to pronounce stable (audio)
1
: a building in which domestic animals are sheltered and fed
especially : such a building having stalls or compartments
a horse stable
2
a
: the racehorses of one owner
b
: a group of athletes (as boxers) under one management

stable

2 of 3 verb
stabled; stabling -b(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce stable (audio)
: to put, keep, or live in or as if in a stable

stable

3 of 3 adjective
stabler -b(ə-)lər How to pronounce stable (audio) ; stablest -b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce stable (audio)
1
a
: firmly established : fixed, steadfast
a stable community
b
: not easily changed or affected
a stable government
c
: not likely to change suddenly or greatly
a stable income
2
a
: steady in purpose : constant
b
: not subject to insecurity or emotional illness : sane
stable personalities
3
: not readily changing in chemical composition or physical state
a stable compound
stableness noun
stably adverb
Etymology

Noun

Middle English stable "a place where animals are sheltered," from early French estable (same meaning), from Latin stabulum (same meaning), from stare "to stand"

Adjective

Middle English stable "fixed, not moving or changing," from early French estable (same meaning), from Latin stabilis (same meaning), from stare "to stand"

Medical Definition

stable

adjective
sta·​ble ˈstā-bəl How to pronounce stable (audio)
stabler -b(ə-)lər How to pronounce stable (audio) ; stablest -b(ə-)ləst How to pronounce stable (audio)
1
: not changing or fluctuating
the patient's condition was listed as stable
2
: not subject to insecurity or emotional illness
a stable personality
3
a
: not readily altering in chemical makeup or physical state
stable emulsions
b
: not spontaneously radioactive
a stable isotope

More from Merriam-Webster on stable

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