English Explanatory Dictionary

homeostasis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The ability of a system or living organism to adjust its internal environment to maintain a state of dynamic constancy; such as the ability of warm-blooded animals to maintain a stable temperature.
  2. Such a dynamic equilibrium or balance.

Pronunciation

/ˌhɒmɪə(ʊ)ˈsteɪsɪs/ /ˌhəʊmɪə(ʊ)ˈsteɪsɪs/ Homoeostasis (UK pronunciation).wav /ˌhoʊ.mi.oʊˈsteɪ.sɪs/

Word forms

homeostasis homeostases homoeostasis homœostasis

Etymology

Coined from Ancient Greek ὅμοιος (hómoios, “similar, the same”) + -stasis by Walter Bradford Cannon, from Ancient Greek στάσις (stásis, “standing, state”).

Related words

stasis proteostasis

Derived words

dyshomeostasis homeostasome homeostatic immunohomeostasis metal homeostasis neurohomeostasis osmohomeostasis
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