# stationary

/ˈsteɪʃəˌnɛɹi/ (US) · /stˈeɪʃənəɹi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stationary
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. not moving

adjective · CEFR B2

staying in one place and not moving.

For teachers: standing still; not moving or not intended to be moved.

- The car remained stationary at the red light for several minutes.
- The truck collided with a stationary vehicle that had broken down in the middle of the highway during the storm.

### 2. unchanging

adjective · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

staying at the same level or in the same condition.

For teachers: not changing in condition, value, or quantity; remaining at a stable level.

- The population of the small village has remained stationary for ten years.
- Economic indicators suggest that prices will remain stationary throughout the next quarter, providing some relief to consumers.

Usage: Often used in academic or technical reports to describe data that does not trend upward or downward.

## Examples

- The car remained stationary at the red light.
- I prefer using a stationary bike at the gym because I can watch videos while I exercise.
- The weather front became stationary over the valley, resulting in several days of heavy rain and localized flooding.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.