metastable: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “metastable” mean?
A state of apparent stability that is actually temporary and can be disrupted by a small disturbance, eventually transitioning to a more stable state.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A state of apparent stability that is actually temporary and can be disrupted by a small disturbance, eventually transitioning to a more stable state.
A term used in physics and chemistry to describe a system that is not in its lowest energy state but appears stable for a long period, such as a supersaturated solution or an excited atomic state.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the term identically in technical registers.
Connotations
Purely technical, without cultural connotations.
Frequency
Identically low frequency in both varieties, confined to scientific discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “metastable” in a Sentence
a metastable [NOUN: state, phase, system] ofThe [NOUN: solution, material] is metastable.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “metastable” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The excited electron will eventually decay from its metastabilised state.
American English
- The system can be metastabilized under specific pressure conditions.
adverb
British English
- The compound existed metastably for several hours before decomposing.
American English
- The plasma persisted metastably for longer than predicted.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially metaphorical, e.g., 'The market is in a metastable condition, ripe for a correction.'
Academic
Primary domain. Common in physics, chemistry, and engineering papers describing systems not in their ground state.
Everyday
Extremely rare. Unlikely to be used outside of a scientific explanation.
Technical
Core usage. Precisely describes a system with a local energy minimum that is not the global minimum.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “metastable”
- Using 'metastable' to mean 'very stable' (opposite meaning).
- Using it in non-technical contexts where 'unstable' or 'temporary' would be clearer.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Unstable' implies a tendency to change immediately. 'Metastable' describes a state that appears stable for a long time but is not the most stable possible configuration and will eventually change.
It would be highly unusual and potentially confusing. It is a specialized scientific term.
Diamond is a classic example. At room temperature and pressure, graphite is more stable, but diamonds persist (are metastable) for geological timescales.
In this context, derived from Greek, it implies 'changed' or 'transformed,' referring to a state that has changed from true stability to one that is only apparently stable.
A state of apparent stability that is actually temporary and can be disrupted by a small disturbance, eventually transitioning to a more stable state.
Metastable is usually technical / scientific in register.
Metastable: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɛtəˈsteɪb(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɛt̬əˈsteɪb(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A house of cards is a metastable structure.”
- “A metastable state, like a ball balanced on a hill.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ball resting in a shallow dip on the side of a hill (META on the hill). It seems STABLE, but a small push sends it rolling to the bottom—the truly stable state.
Conceptual Metaphor
A system poised to fall; a temporary calm before a change; a state of suspended animation.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'metastable' MOST commonly used?