stasis

noun sta·sis \ ˈstā-səs , ˈsta- \

Definition of stasis

plural stases play \ˈstā-ˌsēz, ˈsta-\

1 :a slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid: such as

a :slowing of the current of circulating blood

b :reduced motility of the intestines with retention of feces

2 a :a state of static balance or equilibrium :stagnation

b :a state or period of stability during which little or no evolutionary change in a lineage occurs

See stasis defined for English-language learners

Examples of stasis in a Sentence

The country is in economic stasis.
His art was characterized by bursts of creativity followed by long periods of stasis.

Recent Examples of stasis from the Web

Their interlocking pattern barely changes, allowing the song to maintain an illusion of stasis.

— elias leight, Billboard, "How Danny Ocean's Valentine's Day Song Became a Viral Hit," 18 Aug. 2017
It was perhaps designed as a pre-emptive strike against the type of reviews that inevitably rain down on a band that has moved past critical darling phase into mid-career stasis.

— patrick cooley, cleveland.com, "'The X-Files' 11th season to have fewer mythology episodes: Why that's a good thing," 9 Aug. 2017
The football may not be pretty, and that has become an issue with West Brom fans who wonder whether drab stasis is actually better than aesthetically pleasing jeopardy.

— jonathan wilson, SI.com, "Premier League Preseason Tiers: Ranking the Contenders to the Relegation Candidates," 9 Aug. 2017
It was perhaps designed as a pre-emptive strike against the type of reviews that inevitably rain down on a band that has moved past critical darling phase into mid-career stasis.

— patrick cooley, cleveland.com, "'The X-Files' 11th season to have fewer mythology episodes: Why that's a good thing," 9 Aug. 2017
It was perhaps designed as a pre-emptive strike against the type of reviews that inevitably rain down on a band that has moved past critical darling phase into mid-career stasis.

— greg kot, chicagotribune.com, "Arcade Fire latest is 'Everything' except all that good," 28 July 2017
Now, though, the stasis is finally starting to shift, for two reasons.

— The Economist, "EdtechTechnology is transforming what happens when a child goes to school," 22 July 2017
Designers are ambitious sorts of folk—arrogant, even—and none would want to be associated with stasis, or even with mere cyclicality.

— ian bogost, The Atlantic, "Why a Toaster Is a Design Triumph," 20 July 2017
Arsham anticipates many pairs will remain in that state of stasis, unopened.

— pete forester, Esquire, "Adidas and Daniel Arsham's Seriously Cool New Sneakers Might Give You an Existential Crisis," 14 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stasis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of stasis

New Latin, from Greek, act or condition of standing, stopping, from histasthai to stand — more at stand

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1745

See Words from the same year

stasis Synonyms

Synonyms

counterpoise, equilibration, equilibrium, equipoise, poise, balance

Antonyms

disequilibration, disequilibrium, imbalance, nonequilibrium, unbalance

Related Words

counterbalance, offset; firmness, fixedness, security, stability, steadiness

Near Antonyms

changeability, fluctuation, inconstancy, insecurity, instability, mutability, precariousness, shakiness, unsteadiness, volatility

-stasis

noun combining form

Definition of -stasis

plural -stases

1 :stoppage :slowing

hemostasis

bacteriostasis

2 :stable state

homeostasis

Origin and Etymology of -stasis

New Latin, from Greek stasis

STASIS Defined for English Language Learners

stasis

noun

Definition of stasis for English Language Learners

: a state or condition in which things do not change, move, or progress

Medical Dictionary

stasis

noun sta·sis \ ˈstā-səs , ˈstas-əs \

medical Definition of stasis

plural stases play \ˈstā-ˌsēz, ˈstas-ˌēz\

:a slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid

biliary stasis

: as

a :slowing of the current of circulating blood

b :reduced motility of the intestines with retention of feces

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-stasis

Definition of -stasis

Origin and Etymology of -stasis

STASIS Defined for English Language Learners

stasis

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Medical Dictionary

stasis

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