stasis

1 of 2

noun

sta·​sis ˈstā-səs  ˈsta- 

plural stases ˈstā-ˌsēz  ˈsta- 

1

: a slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid: such as

a

: slowing of the current of circulating blood

b

: reduced motility of the intestines with retention of feces

2

a

: a state of static balance or equilibrium : stagnation

b

: a state or period of stability during which little or no evolutionary change in a lineage occurs

-stasis

2 of 2

noun combining form

plural -stases

1

: stoppage : slowing

hemostasis

bacteriostasis

2

: stable state

homeostasis

Synonyms

Noun

• balance
• counterpoise
• equilibration
• equilibrium
• equipoise
• poise

Examples of stasis in a Sentence

Noun

The country is in economic stasis.

His art was characterized by bursts of creativity followed by long periods of stasis.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Now, Jimmy is AFC Richmond coach Ted, the guy with the unorthodox ideas that shockingly turn around and better the lives of people used to disappointment and stasis. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Dec. 2024

While the Merkel era was marked by stability — much prized among German voters — according to her critics this often turned into stasis. —Greg McKenna, Fortune Europe, 21 Nov. 2024

The diplomatic stasis and the urgent need to reconstruct Gaza presented an opportune moment to finally put the Palestinians’ own house in order, but Abbas once again stalled. —Khaled Elgindy, Foreign Affairs, 30 Aug. 2024

There’s a funny phrase in Hollywood — ‘director’s jail’ — that gets thrown around whenever a filmmaker finds their career in stasis after making a particularly high-profile flop. —Damon Wise, Deadline, 14 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek, act or condition of standing, stopping, from histasthai to stand — more at stand

Noun combining form

New Latin, from Greek stasis

First Known Use

Noun

1745, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

stasis

noun

sta·​sis ˈstā-səs  ˈstas-əs 

plural stases ˈstā-ˌsēz  ˈstas-ˌēz 

: a slowing or stoppage of the normal flow of a bodily fluid or semifluid

biliary stasis

: as

a

: slowing of the current of circulating blood

b

: reduced motility of the intestines with retention of feces