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

The alternative is that the stasis just represents a particularly challenging technological problem that took a lot of experimentation to solve. —John Timmer, Ars Technica, 18 June 2024

Exploring confounding ripples in her private life, Taylor Swift reaches stasis in her professional one. —Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 23 Apr. 2024

In other words, species in stasis may simply have found the best possible combination of traits for lasting success in their environment. —Donavyn Coffey, Scientific American, 21 Feb. 2024

Wartime Putinism could also undermine itself through stasis. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 13 Jan. 2023

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