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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
Examples of steady state in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The cardio is a mix of higher intensity intervals and lower intensity steady state work.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 16 May 2024
This is defined as a steady state of physical, internal, and chemical conditions.
—Mark Anderson, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024
Instead, these have turned into smaller, more predictable bumps in transmission in the summer and winter as the nation reaches a kind of steady state with the virus.
—Brenda Goodman, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024
Having a larger battery like this to handle the transient driving loads, allows for the use of a smaller fuel stack that mostly operates in a steady state condition, thus reducing the cost of the system.
—Sam Abuelsamid, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The planet’s climate is well established to oscillate between two steady states: the icehouse (when, at a minimum, both poles whiten) and the steamier greenhouse phase, glacier-free.
—Rebecca Giggs, The New York Review of Books, 30 Nov. 2023
The big chill The researchers let the model reach a steady state for the end-Cretaceous continental configuration and atmospheric composition.
—John Timmer, Ars Technica, 31 Oct. 2023
And while plenty of concerns remain that job growth could slow too much and turn negative, the current state of the economy — and recent history — support a belief that this steady state can be maintained.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 31 Aug. 2023
The latest stretch of data seem to indicate that the labor market is settling into a steady state, where monthly employment gains might fluctuate in the range of 150,000 to 180,000, said Boston College’s Bethune.
—Alicia Wallace, CNN, 4 Aug. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'steady state.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1885, in the meaning defined above
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 31 May. 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
noun1
: 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
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about steady state
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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