steady state

noun

: a state or condition of a system or process (such as one of the energy states of an atom) that does not change in time
broadly : a condition that changes only negligibly over a specified time
steady-state adjective

Examples of steady state in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With this steady state of flux as a background, Google moved its Gemini app unit under its DeepMind research lab in mid-October. Tor Constantino, Mba, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024 To Miller, that’s proved something of a surprise, since in the 20 days or so following the presidential debate, the race had seemingly entered a steady state where Harris consistently held the lead. Shawn Tully, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024 What if managing change is not about returning to a steady state but about thriving in constant flux? Sherzod Odilov, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024 Having said that, audit and tax will remain a steady state niche market for which schools need to produce students. Shivaram Rajgopal, Forbes, 5 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for steady state 

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of steady state was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near steady state

Cite this Entry

“Steady state.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/steady%20state. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

steady state

noun
: a state or condition of a system or process that does not change or changes only slightly over time
on the average a living cell maintains a steady state

Medical Definition

steady state

noun
1
: a state or condition of a system or process (as one of the energy states of an atom) that does not change in time
2
: a state of physiological equilibrium especially in connection with a specified metabolic relation or activity

More from Merriam-Webster on steady state

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!