static

1 of 3

adjective

stat·​ic ˈsta-tik 

1

: exerting force by reason of weight alone without motion

2

: of or relating to bodies at rest or forces in equilibrium

3

: showing little change

a static population

4

a

: characterized by a lack of movement, animation, or progression

b

: producing an effect of repose or quiescence

a static design

5

a

: standing or fixed in one place : stationary

b

of water : stored in a tank but not under pressure

6

: of, relating to, or producing stationary charges of electricity : electrostatic

7

: of, relating to, or caused by radio static

statical

ˈsta-ti-kəl 

adjective

statically

ˈsta-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

static

2 of 3

noun

1

: noise produced in a radio or television receiver by atmospheric or various natural or artificial electrical disturbances

also : the electrical disturbances producing this noise

2

US, informal : heated opposition or criticism

staticky

ˈsta-ti-kē 

adjective

-static

3 of 3

adjective combining form

1

: of or relating to a position or state

orthostatic

2

: inhibiting the growth of

fungistatic

Synonyms of static

Adjective

• motionless
• stationary
• standing
• immobile
• in place

Examples of static in a Sentence

Adjective

the static installation of the statue in that niche means that no one will ever see its back, which is also of interest

Noun

There was so much static on the radio we couldn't hear the broadcast.

He was getting a lot of static about his decision.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Answering a reporter’s question regarding family members’ concerns for Ponce’s mental health, Garcia said that while officers undergo crisis intervention training, such techniques are best suited for static situations. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 30 July 2026

The typical residence time of cargo vessels in most ports is two days, and biofouling on static surfaces typically begins after 10 days. — Abhishek Bhardwaj, Interesting Engineering, 29 July 2026

Noun

Their songs crescendo in waves, surging like radio static, echoing like a drum. — Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026

Another was because the call quality had diminished due to static on the line that didn’t go away despite a couple of service visits from AT&T. — Larry Magid, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

New Latin staticus, from Greek statikos causing to stand, skilled in weighing, from histanai to cause to stand, weigh — more at stand

Noun

static electricity

Adjective combining form

New Latin -staticus, from staticus

First Known Use

Adjective

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing static

• Pitot-static tube
• static cling
• static electricity
• static line
• static tube

Rhymes for static

• attic
• mattock
• static
• achromatic
• acrobatic
• adriatic
• aliphatic
• antistatic
• aromatic
• adiabatic
• aristocratic
• asymptomatic

Kids Definition

static

1 of 2 adjective

stat·​ic ˈstat-ik 

1

: of or relating to bodies at rest or forces that are balanced

static friction

2

: showing little change

a static population

3

: marked by a lack of movement, liveliness, or progress

4

: of, relating to, or producing stationary charges of electricity (as those produced by friction)

static

2 of 2 noun

: noise produced in a radio or television receiver by atmospheric or electrical disturbances

Medical Definition

static

adjective

stat·​ic ˈstat-ik 

1

: characterized by a lack of movement or change

a static condition

2

: electrostatic

statically

-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb