metastable

1 of 2

adjective

meta·sta·ble ˌme-tə-ˈstā-bəl

: having or characterized by only a slight margin of stability

a metastable compound

metastability

ˌme-tə-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē

noun

metastably

ˌme-tə-ˈstā-b(ə-)lē

adverb

metastability

2 of 2

noun

meta·stability

: the quality or state of being metastable

Examples of metastable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Adjective

Then, those metastable states de-excite, causing the emission of a gamma-ray. — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 4 Sep. 2025 These in-between phases are called metastable states, and their existence demonstrates that some phase transitions happen in steps, rather than all at once. — Shalma Wegsman, Quanta Magazine, 27 Apr. 2026 These are vanquished by the plasma's cargo of metastable helium atoms (which are roughly halfway between ground state and excited ionized state). — IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2010 And there was no single form of equilibrium for a knitted sweater's resting shape; rather, there were multiple metastable states that were dependent on the fabric's history—the different ways it had been folded, stretched, or rumpled. — Ars Technica, 27 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for metastable

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of metastable was in 1897

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Style

“Metastable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/metastable. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Medical Definition

metastable

adjective

meta·sta·ble ˌmet-ə-ˈstā-bəl

: having or characterized by only a slight margin of stability

a metastable compound

metastability

-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē

noun

plural metastabilities

metastable

adjective

noun

Examples of metastable in a Sentence

Word History

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