metastable

adjective meta·sta·ble \-ˈstā-bəl\

Definition of METASTABLE

: having or characterized by only a slight margin of stability <a metastable compound>

— meta·sta·bil·i·ty \-stə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— meta·sta·bly \-ˈstā-b(ə-)lē\ adverb

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use: 1897

Medical Dictionary

adjective meta·sta·ble \ˌmet-ə-ˈstā-bəl\

: having or characterized by only a slight margin of stability <a metastable compound>

—meta·sta·bil·i·ty \-stə-ˈbil-ət-ē\ noun, plural meta·sta·bil·i·ties

Next Word in the Dictionary: metastasisPrevious Word in the Dictionary: metasomatismAll Words Near: metastable

What made you want to look up metastable? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears