stationary

adjective

sta·tion·ary | \ ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē

Definition of stationary

1 : fixed in a station, course, or mode : immobile

2 : unchanging in condition a stationary population

Synonyms & Antonyms stationary or stationery? More Example Sentences Learn More about stationary

Keep scrolling for more

stationary or stationery?

The Internet is awash with mnemonics (“something (such as a word, a sentence, or a song) that helps people remember something“) designed to assist those who have trouble distinguishing between two similar words. A fair share of these turn out to be for the words stationery and stationary. The most commonly suggested method is to remember that you buy papER at a stationERy store. If this trick does not work for you, then perhaps it will help to remember that a stationery store is one that is run by a stationer. This word was originally applied to a bookseller, but by the middle of the 17th century it began to be used for a person who sells papers, pens, and office goods.

Examples of stationary in a Sentence

Einstein imagined a beam of light piercing the elevator. If the elevator were rising relative to the source of light, the beam would enter at a certain height on one side of the elevator and appear to curve on its way to a lower height on the opposite wall. Einstein then imagined that the elevator were stationary on the surface of the earth. Since he postulated that the two circumstances are the same, Einstein concluded that the same effect would have to hold true for both. In other words, gravity must bend light. — Smithsonian, June 2005 By pushing the keys with the side of his fist and pushing foot pedals, the player transfers mechanical force to clappers, which strike the stationary bells, which are tuned to specific notes. — Douglas Martin, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2003 And while atomic reactors and chemical storage facilities are the sort of stationary targets that invite bombing, bioweapons laboratory materials are small enough to be put in a truck and moved to another location. — Gregg Easterbrook, New Republic, 25 Feb. 2002 The weather front has remained stationary over the Southeast. a stationary bicycle is good for exercise, but you won't enjoy the scenery very much

Recent Examples on the Web

Cornerback Darnay Holmes was last seen on a stationary bike. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "Pac-12 training camp report: From HBO appearances to QB duels, there’s no shortage of news," 19 Aug. 2019 The latter refers to a rider who operates in a team-first support role rather than trying to win races, while the former refers to stationary-bike races typically held in bars. — Matt Wake | [email protected], al, "Huntsville, here’s your next coffee obsession," 19 Aug. 2019 Riding a bike up a hill rather than doing a stationary bike in a gym. — Jon Wertheim, SI.com, "How Djokovic's Mental Training Helped Him at Wimbledon | Beyond the Baseline Podcast," 25 July 2019 Peloton operates storefronts to sell its stationary bikes and monthly services of live and taped bike trips and workouts. — Maria Halkias, Dallas News, "Retail Therapy: A few disruptors, Rent the Runway, Stitch Fix and Peloton, came to Texas to grow," 12 July 2019 My workout routine included both free weights and machines, along with interval training on a stationary bike. — Andrea Pitzer, Outside Online, "I (Kinda) Hate Running," 9 July 2019 During Thursday morning's Phoenix Mercury practice, Diana Taurasi took a moment to step off the court and clap a comforting hand on the shoulder of Essence Carson, who was stretching her legs on a stationary bike beside the scrimmage. — Julia Stumbaugh, azcentral, "Diana Taurasi, Essence Carson injuries could challenge Mercury's lineup depth," 4 July 2019 The equivalence principle says that there is no difference between being stationary and subject to gravity tugging you and accelerating in a vehicle that's free of gravitational pull. — Chris Lee, Ars Technica, "Einstein’s equivalence principle updated with a dash of quantum," 14 Aug. 2018 Even better: Some of these stores — Loft, J. Crew, Michaels, to name a few — continue these deals year-round because a teacher's stationary stash isn't going to replenish itself. — Amanda Garrity, Good Housekeeping, "The Best Teacher Discounts to Celebrate Back-to-School Season," 15 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stationary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for stationary

stationary

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of stationary

: not moving : staying in one place or position

: not changing

See the full definition for stationary in the English Language Learners Dictionary

stationary

adjective

sta·tion·ary | \ ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē

Kids Definition of stationary

1 : having been set in a certain place or post : immobile a stationary bike

2 : not changing : stable Their weekly income remained stationary.

stationary

adjective

sta·tion·ary | \ ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē

Medical Definition of stationary

1 : fixed in position : not moving

2 : characterized by a lack of change the patient's condition remained stationary

Keep scrolling for more

stationary

Definition of stationary

Synonyms & Antonyms for stationary

stationary or stationery?

Examples of stationary in a Sentence

First Known Use of stationary

History and Etymology for stationary

English Language Learners Definition of stationary

Kids Definition of stationary

Medical Definition of stationary

stationary

Definition of stationary

Synonyms & Antonyms for stationary

stationary or stationery?

Examples of stationary in a Sentence

First Known Use of stationary

History and Etymology for stationary

English Language Learners Definition of stationary

Kids Definition of stationary

Medical Definition of stationary

WORD OF THE DAY