stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

plural stabilizers

: one that stabilizes something: such as

a

: a substance added to another substance (such as an explosive or plastic) or to a system (such as an emulsion) to prevent or delay an unwanted alteration of physical state

b

: a gyroscope device to keep ships steady in a heavy sea

c

: an airfoil providing stability for an airplane

specifically : the fixed horizontal member of the tail assembly see airplane illustration

Examples of stabilizer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These really work your shoulder stabilizer muscles. —Elizabeth Millard, Cpt, SELF, 19 Nov. 2024

This flow is controlled by adjusting the rope length stabilizer in the contextual brush parameters. —PCMAG, 8 Aug. 2024

Patagonia won’t disclose where the stabilizers in its current suits come from, which, like in the Billabong, make up 15 percent of the foam rubber. —Brent Rose, Outside Online, 31 Oct. 2024

Biden eked out an electoral college victory, having campaigned as a moderate, a stabilizer. —Foreign Affairs, 7 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

: one (as a chemical or a device) that stabilizes something

especially : a fixed surface for stabilizing the motion of an airplane

Medical Definition

stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er

variants also British stabiliser

ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

: one that stabilizes something

especially : a substance added to another substance or to a system (as an emulsion) to prevent or retard an unwanted alteration of physical state