steady

play

adjective \ ˈste-dē \

Definition of steady

steadier; steadiest

1 a :direct or sure in movement :unfaltering

a steady hand

b :firm in position :fixed

held the pole steady

c :keeping nearly upright in a seaway

a steady ship

2 :showing little variation or fluctuation :stable, uniform

a steady breeze

steady prices

3 a :not easily disturbed or upset

steady nerves

b (1) :constant in feeling, principle, purpose, or attachment

steady friends

(2) :dependable

c :not given to dissipation :sober

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steadily

play \ˈste-dᵊl-ē\ adverb

—

steadiness

play \ˈste-dē-nəs\ noun

See steady defined for English-language learners

See steady defined for kids

Examples of steady in a Sentence

She used a tripod to keep the camera steady.
Painting takes a steady hand and a good eye.
Prices have remained steady over the last month.
He finally has a steady job.
They do a steady business at the restaurant.
There has been a steady increase in prices.
I am making steady progress on refinishing the basement.
There was a steady rain all day.
We've received a steady stream of donations.

Recent Examples of steady from the Web

The agency’s latest project, the LAX-adjacent Crenshaw Line, is moving at a steady, speedy clip.

— neal broverman, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Crenshaw Line Is Taking Shape, and Suddenly 2019 Can’t Get Here Fast Enough," 24 Aug. 2017
Kevin’s wife, Teryl Balcaceres-Scarbrough, 36, started a steady job at U-Haul.

— alden woods, azcentral, "$200 from home: Renters in the housing crisis are often stuck between help and affordability," 17 Aug. 2017
At the dawn of an ordinary city run, a runner is controlling the pace, setting their cadence, trying to keep everything steady and in check to endure the long haul.

— andrew moseman, Popular Mechanics, "I Tried to Run 13.1 Miles Up and Down a Mountain at 8,000 Feet," 15 Aug. 2017
Every year Geim receives a steady flow of applications from abroad seeking to join the Marie Curie research program in Manchester.

— simon parkin, Bloomberg.com, "Brexit Is Quietly Strangling Science," 8 Aug. 2017
Maduro has overseen an extension and deepening of the economic catastrophe that began under Chávez, a steady degradation of economic life that is as inescapably associated with socialism as the red banner of chavismo.

— the editors, National Review, "Helping Venezuela: Sanctions Are Only a Start," 1 Aug. 2017
U.S. crude stockpiles have been on a steady decline and are estimated to have dropped further last week.

— jessica summers, star-telegram, "Oil rises above $50 as OPEC trims exports, sets meeting on cuts," 31 July 2017
The mirroring of these two deaths with those of Tyene and Ellaria might just be the writers’ way of hinting at Cersei’s slow but steady transformation into the Mad Queen.

— chanel vargas, Harper's BAZAAR, "The Parallels Between Cersei and The Mad King Are Eerily Spot-On," 31 July 2017
Most investors expect the Fed to hold rates steady at this week’s meeting and possibly raise them one more time this year.

— elaine kurtenbach, The Seattle Times, "Asian stocks sag amid caution on earnings, politics," 24 July 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of steady

Middle English stedy, from stede

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

steady Synonyms

Synonym Discussion of steady

steady, even, equable mean not varying throughout a course or extent. steady implies lack of fluctuation or interruption of movement.

- steady progress

even suggests a lack of variation in quality or character.

- an even distribution

equable implies lack of extremes or of sudden sharp changes.

- maintain an equable temper

steady

verb

Definition of steady

steadied; steadying

transitive verb

:to make or keep steady

intransitive verb

:to become steady

—

steadier

noun

See steady defined for English-language learners

Examples of steady in a Sentence

He steadied the gun and fired.
She used a tripod to steady the camera.
The doctor gave her medication to help steady her heart rate.
Her heart rate had been erratic but eventually steadied.
Prices have steadied in recent months.

Recent Examples of steady from the Web

That campaign should steady the market by ensuring stable demand.

— sam kean, Science | AAAS, "When will yellow fever strike Brazil again? Monkeys and mosquitoes hold clues," 17 Aug. 2017
Her single mother, a formidable and troubled figure, is far from a steadying force.

— walter addiego, kansascity, "‘Step’ documentary is an inspiring leap toward empowerment," 10 Aug. 2017
Children pause along the way to steady their balance.

— National Geographic, "Watch Kids Cross a Raging River to Get to School," 10 Aug. 2017
Hiring Lapan would be yet another sign that Kelly is steadying the ship at the White House.

— adam k. raymond, Daily Intelligencer, "John Kelly Is Running a Tight Ship, for Now," 2 Aug. 2017
For more than a century, Americans have looked to their presidents as steadying hands, calming presences.

— matthew continetti, National Review, "Bonfire of the Insanities," 29 July 2017
Spieth stumbled out of the blocks, making bogeys on three of the first four holes before steadying himself with a birdie on No.

— star-telegram, "Dallas’ Jordan Spieth wins British Open in turnaround for the ages," 23 July 2017
As officers surrounded Rios and Kinsey, Aledda, a SWAT member steadied his rifle on the hood of a police car 152 feet away and took aim.

— charles rabin, miamiherald, "Autistic man at center of Charles Kinsey shooting files federal civil rights lawsuit," 5 June 2017
But right now my full responsibility needs to be focused on steadying the ship of state and learning about all the departments and what the possibilities for new programs might be.

— carol robinson, AL.com, "Man shot while sitting on sofa in Birmingham home," 30 May 2017

First Known Use of steady

1530

steady

adverb

Definition of steady

1 :in a steady manner :steadily

2 :on the course set —used as a direction to the helmsman of a ship

See steady defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of steady from the Web

At the meeting Tuesday, the board proposed a tax rate that would hold taxes steady from the previous year.

— david fleshler, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Beleaguered Broward Health board: 'We're in the right direction'," 14 Aug. 2017
Punter Thomas Morstead remained steady, ranking fourth in the league in average (48.3 yards per punt) with a season-high effort of 66 yards in Week 2 against the New York Giants.

— herbie teope, NOLA.com, "Ranking the NFC South: Special teams," 19 July 2017
French Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator to keep foods good as long as possible thanks to its ability to hold temperatures steady.

— the good housekeeping institute, Good Housekeeping, "Kenmore Elite 29.8 cu. ft. French Door Bottom-Freezer Refrigerator 74027," 1 July 2017
President Trump’s ratings hold steady, despite the ongoing investigations.

— dana blanton, Fox News, "Fox News Poll: Voters disapprove of both Obama, Trump on Russian meddling," 28 June 2017
Medicaid expansion funds hold steady through this crucial political window, too. 2024:

— michael mcauliff, Kaiser Health News, "Analysis: Mitch McConnell Plans To Hide Trumpcare’s Pain Until After Midterms," 27 June 2017
Support for that view has been roughly steady over the last 15 years, Pew said.

— anthony halpin, Bloomberg.com, "Putin's a Shrinking Giant Abroad and at Home in Poll of Russians," 20 June 2017
Stanley was steady early, but Seattle made the most of a scramble play off a corner.

— iliana limón romero, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Orlando Pride emergency goalkeeper Caroline Stanley clutch under pressure," 22 May 2017
The BOE recently kept its benchmark interest rate steady at 0.25%, but as price growth hit a more than three-year high in February, one...

— wsj staff, WSJ, "Global Economy Week Ahead: U.S. and U.K. Inflation, China Trade," 9 Apr. 2017

First Known Use of steady

circa 1605

steady

noun

Definition of steady

plural steadies

:one that is steady; specifically :a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one goes steady

See steady defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of steady from the Web

Muguruza double faults on her opening point but steadies and wins the next the four.

— jamie lisanti, SI.com, "Live updates: Venus Williams takes on Garbine Muguruza in Wimbledon final," 15 July 2017
Officials voted unanimously to hold their benchmark rate steady in a range between 0.75% and 1%, after a two-day policy meeting.

— james hohmann, Washington Post, "The Daily 202: 10 storylines to follow as the House votes on health care," 4 May 2017
Officials voted unanimously to hold their benchmark rate steady in a range between 0.75% and 1%, after a two-day policy meeting Wednesday.

— nick timiraos, WSJ, "Fed Sees Growth Rebounding, Remains on Track for Two More Rate Rises in 2017," 3 May 2017
Following a two-day policy meeting, officials voted unanimously to hold their benchmark rate steady in a range between 0.50% and 0.75%, while noting in a statement some recent improvements in the economy, including an uptick in consumer confidence.

— david harrison, WSJ, "Fed Leaves Policy Rate Unchanged, Offers No Hint on When It Might Next Move," 1 Feb. 2017

First Known Use of steady

1792

STEADY Defined for English Language Learners

steady

verb

Definition of steady for English Language Learners

: to keep (something or someone) from moving, shaking, falling, etc.
: to cause (something) to stop changing, increasing, decreasing, etc.

steady

adverb

Definition of steady for English Language Learners

: in a steady way

steady

noun

Definition of steady for English Language Learners

: the only person you are having a romantic relationship with : the person you are going steady with

STEADY Defined for Kids

steady

play

adjective \ ˈste-dē \

Definition of steady for Students

steadier; steadiest

1 :firmly fixed in position

Make sure the ladder is steady.

2 :direct or sure in action

She worked with steady hands.

I took steady aim.

3 :showing little change

a steady flow of water

I found a steady job.

4 :not easily upset

steady nerves

5 :reliable

a steady worker

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steadily

\ˈste-də-lē\ adverb

—

steadiness

\ˈste-dē-nəs\ noun

steady

verb

Definition of steady for Students

steadied; steadying

:to make, keep, or become steady

He put on some music to steady his nerves.

I put the stepladder next to the cart and steadied it with one hand …
—Jack Gantos, Joey Pigza Loses Control

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steady

Definition of steady

steadier

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steady

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First Known Use of steady

steady

Definition of steady

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STEADY Defined for English Language Learners

steady

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steady

Definition of steady for English Language Learners

steady

Definition of steady for English Language Learners

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