stabilize

verb

sta·​bi·​lize ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

stabilized; stabilizing

transitive verb

1

: to make stable, steadfast, or firm

2

: to hold steady: such as

a

: to maintain the stability of (something, such as an airplane) by means of a stabilizer

b

: to limit fluctuations of

stabilize prices

c

: to establish a minimum price for

intransitive verb

: to become stable, firm, or steadfast

stabilization

ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Examples of stabilize in a Sentence

The country's population has stabilized at 3.2 million.

The government's efforts to stabilize prices have not succeeded.

Even the administration's most vocal critics agree that the President has succeeded in stabilizing the economy.

We'll use ropes to stabilize the platform.

a process that stabilizes the vaccine

drugs that stabilize a patient's heartbeat

The pilots were able to stabilize the airplane and land safely.

Recent Examples on the Web

Turner’s opening statement asserted that EMTALA does not require doctors to break state laws to provide stabilizing emergency medical care. —Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 25 Apr. 2024

The law created a national minimum care standard for hospitals participating in Medicare by requiring them to offer stabilizing treatment to any patient with an emergency condition that threatens their life or health. —Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 24 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Kids Definition

stabilize

verb

sta·​bi·​lize ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

stabilized; stabilizing

1

: to make or become stable, fixed, or firm

2

: to hold steady (as by means of a stabilizer)

stabilization

ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən 

noun

Medical Definition

stabilize

verb

sta·​bi·​lize

variants also British stabilise

ˈstā-bə-ˌlīz 

stabilized also British stabilised; stabilizing also British stabilising

transitive verb

: to make stable

stabilize a patient's condition

intransitive verb

: to become stable

when pulse and blood pressure respond and stabilize

—Journal of the American Medical Association

stabilization noun

also British stabilisation

ˌstā-bə-lə-ˈzā-shən