stable
1a building for the lodging and feeding of horses, cattle, etc.
such a building with stalls.
a collection of animals housed in such a building.
Horse Racing.
an establishment where racehorses are kept and trained.
the horses belonging to, or the persons connected with, such an establishment.
Informal.
a number of people, usually in the same profession, who are employed, trained, or represented by the same company, agency, manager, etc.: a comedy show with a large stable of writers.
the establishment that trains or manages such a group of people: two boxers from the same stable.
a collection of items produced by or belonging to an establishment, industry, profession, or the like: The American auto industry has some new small cars in its stable.
to put or lodge in or as if in a stable.
to live in or as if in a stable.
Origin of stable
1Other words for stable
Other words from stable
- sta·ble·like, adjective
- un·sta·bled, adjective
Words Nearby stable
Other definitions for stable (2 of 2)
able or likely to continue or last; firmly established; enduring or permanent: a stable government.
resistant to sudden change or deterioration: A stable economy is the aim of every government.
steadfast; not wavering or changeable, as in character or purpose; dependable.
not subject to emotional instability or illness; sane; mentally sound.
Physics. having the ability to react to a disturbing force by maintaining or reestablishing position, form, etc.
Chemistry. not readily decomposing, as a compound; resisting molecular or chemical change.
(of a patient's condition) exhibiting no significant change.
Origin of stable
2Other words for stable
1 | fixed, secure, sturdy |
4 | invariable, staunch, constant, reliable, steady, unswerving, unvarying |
Other words from stable
- sta·ble·ness, noun
- stably, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use stable in a sentence
At St. Barnabas Hospital, Pellerano was listed in stable condition with wounds to his chest and arm.
His lone stable was a girl from Newport News, Virginia, who had already escaped one nightmare.
The country, long viewed as stable, has recently been home to upheaval.
An African Dictatorship’s Friend in D.C. | Center for Public Integrity | November 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThe areas that were once the most food stable flipped on their heads when Ebola arrived, and are now the least.
Unlike metals like iron, which rusts and corrodes dramatically, chromium remains stable after oxidation and subsequent burial.
Why Did It Take So Long For Complex Life To Evolve On Earth? Blame Oxygen. | Matthew R. Francis | November 2, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Adjoining the engine-house on the other side, is the stable, where five splendid horses are kept.
Showell's Dictionary of Birmingham | Thomas T. Harman and Walter ShowellYet the word is general and apparently unconnected with the house, as it was not a stable but a boarding-house.
Assimilative Memory | Marcus Dwight Larrowe (AKA Prof. A. Loisette)Dorothy led Jack off to the stable, and the half-frozen yeoman turned in to enjoy his cheerful fire.
The World Before Them | Susanna MoodieWhen she went to go into her stable, Mace slowed her down till the street cars was gone by.
Alec Lloyd, Cowpuncher | Eleanor GatesA broken broom, covered with very ancient cobwebs, lay under one manger, and the remnants of a stable-bucket under another.
The Portsmouth Road and Its Tributaries | Charles G. Harper
British Dictionary definitions for stable (1 of 2)
/ (ˈsteɪbəl) /
a building, usually consisting of stalls, for the lodging of horses or other livestock
the animals lodged in such a building, collectively
the racehorses belonging to a particular establishment or owner
the establishment itself
(as modifier): stable companion
informal a source of training, such as a school, theatre, etc: the two athletes were out of the same stable
a number of people considered as a source of a particular talent: a stable of writers
(modifier) of, relating to, or suitable for a stable: stable manners
to put, keep, or be kept in a stable
Origin of stable
1British Dictionary definitions for stable (2 of 2)
/ (ˈsteɪbəl) /
steady in position or balance; firm
lasting or permanent: a stable relationship
steadfast or firm of purpose
(of an elementary particle, atomic nucleus, etc) not undergoing decay; not radioactive: a stable nuclide
(of a chemical compound) not readily partaking in a chemical change
(of electronic equipment) with no tendency to self-oscillation
Origin of stable
2Derived forms of stable
- stableness, noun
- stably, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for stable
[ stā′bəl ]
Not susceptible to a process of decay, such as radioactivity. For example, the most common isotope of carbon, carbon 12, is stable. Protons and photons are examples of stable subatomic particles. See more at decay.
Relating to a chemical compound that does not easily decompose or change into other compounds. Water is an example of a stable compound.
Relating to an atom or chemical element that is unlikely to share electrons with another atom or element.
Not likely to change significantly or to deteriorate suddenly, as an individual's medical condition.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with stable
see lock the barn (stable) door after the horse has bolted.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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