stagnation

noun

stag·​na·​tion stag-ˈnā-shən How to pronounce stagnation (audio)
: a stagnant state or condition : a state or condition marked by lack of flow, movement, or development
In short, the increasing contamination and stagnation of the segment of river had become a matter of concern.Ryan Holifield and Nick Schuelke
In 1664, when plague had struck Amsterdam again, with the usual stagnation of trade that followed its worst attacks, the sight of a shooting star was taken as axiomatic confirmation of divine displeasure.Simon Schama

Examples of stagnation in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This is not the time for stagnation as China looks to overtake America’s lead in the high ground of space. Big Think, 15 Oct. 2025 However, no society saw its economy catapulted into a kind of sustained escape velocity away from stagnation before. NPR, 14 Oct. 2025 The Nobel committee noted that for much of human history, economic stagnation, rather than growth, was the norm. Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025 Economic stagnation, not growth, has been the norm for most of human history. Simon Johnson, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for stagnation

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stagnation was in 1644

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Cite this Entry

“Stagnation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stagnation. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

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