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REFERENCE

stable

adj. · n.
US //ˈsteɪbəɫ// UK //stˈeɪbəl// sta·ble
  1. 1 steady and unchanging (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    steady and not likely to move, change, or fail.

    firmly established and not likely to fluctuate or deteriorate; resistant to sudden change.

    Example

    The patient is in a stable condition after the surgery.

    Example

    Economists remain cautious despite the stable inflation rates, noting that geopolitical tensions could still disrupt the global supply chain.
  2. 2 software/computing (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Computing

    a version of a computer program that is tested and has very few errors.

    denoting a software release that has undergone rigorous testing and is considered reliable for production use.

    Example

    You should download the stable version of the app instead of the beta.

    Example

    The development team decided to delay the feature rollout until the stable build could be verified across all legacy operating systems.
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  1. 3 building for horses (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a building where horses are kept and fed.

    a building or set of buildings specifically designed for the housing and feeding of livestock, particularly horses.

    Example

    He spent the morning cleaning the stable and feeding the horses.

    Example

    The equestrian centre features a modern stable with climate control and automated feeding systems for the prize-winning stallions.
  2. 4 a group of people (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    a group of people, like athletes or performers, who work for the same person or company.

    a group of individuals, such as athletes, writers, or performers, who are managed or trained by the same organization.

    Example

    The talent agency has a stable of very famous actors.

    Example

    The publishing house boasts an impressive stable of young novelists who have collectively won several major literary awards this year.
Etymology 1

From Middle English stable, borrowed from Anglo-Norman stable, from Latin stab(u)lum.

Etymology 2

From Middle English stable, from Anglo-Norman stable, stabel, from Latin stabilis (“firm, steadfast”) (itself from stare (“stand”) + -abilis (“able”)). Displaced native Old English staþolfæst.

Word family
Idioms1 entry

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