steady state

noun

: a state or condition of a system or process (such as one of the energy states of an atom) that does not change in time

broadly : a condition that changes only negligibly over a specified time

steady-state

ˈste-dē-ˈstāt 

adjective

Examples of steady state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But at this time of the year, everyone's on a break from politics and the steady state is because for a couple of weeks, nobody really cares. — Kate Plummer, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025

The United States and China have settled into a steady state of pragmatic, if uneasy, détente. — Phil Mattingly, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2025

Designing for live scale means designing for steady states as well as peak moments—because lasting value is created when systems perform under pressure. — Dhiraj Adya, Forbes.com, 12 Feb. 2026

Economists caution that surging oil prices, inflation, and potential global recession could dampen hiring progress despite the labor market’s current steady state. — Paul Wiseman, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for steady state

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate

Kids Definition

steady state

noun

: a state or condition of a system or process that does not change or changes only slightly over time

on the average a living cell maintains a steady state

Medical Definition

steady state

noun

1

: a state or condition of a system or process (as one of the energy states of an atom) that does not change in time

2

: a state of physiological equilibrium especially in connection with a specified metabolic relation or activity