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

This web of interrelated characters remains in stasis, as an unremarkable fixture of the backdrop, rather than a point of intrigue. —Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 20 Mar. 2025

Most individuals and groups, however, are captives of stasis, denial, and/or procrastination. —Mark A. Cohen, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2025

The problem causes stasis (pooling of blood in your legs). —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Jan. 2025

Yet these movements were not drawn out to the point of stasis, as in mannered recent performances by Vikingur Ólafsson. —Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 10 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for stasis

• basis
• glacis
• mesas
• stasis
• anabasis
• cholestasis
• haemostasis
• hemostasis
• hypostasis
• atelectasis
• bronchiectasis
• homeostasis

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