stagnation

noun

stag·​na·​tion stag-ˈnā-shən 

: 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

Connecticut Children’s chief operating officer Bob Duncan has said the stagnation in Medicaid reimbursement rates, inflation, drug and labor costs have all negatively impacted the hospital. — Livi Stanford, Hartford Courant, 5 Nov. 2026

The American consumer, who accounts for about 70% of GDP, continues to buy stuff, but many are stressed by energy prices, wage stagnation, rising interest rates, and an affordability crisis in everything from health care to housing. — Diane Brady, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2026

After all, Wikipedia’s stagnation also coincided with the rise of social media, which Cooke hardly mentions. — Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

This structural deficit tends to stall innovation, leaving the enterprise vulnerable to competitive stagnation. — Syed Ahmad, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1644, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for stagnation

• ablation
• aeration
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation