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

Otherwise, Russia, which has often been open to Western programs of modernization, has kept its émigrés at arm’s length, both at times of stasis and at times of change. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 18 Sep. 2024

Both Dylan’s and Talia’s positions are extreme, but the book’s roomy structure allows this tension between stasis and flux to cohabit. —Stephen Kearse, The Atlantic, 6 Sep. 2024

This approach is refreshingly counter-cultural in a world obsessed with youth and stasis. —Avivah Wittenberg-Cox, Forbes, 17 Aug. 2024

Sending tissues in a cryogenic stasis to the moon is a related but much more difficult challenge. —Ayurella Horn-Muller Syris Valentine, WIRED, 31 Aug. 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