Definition of HOMEOSTASIS

homeostasis

Meanings

Plural: homeostases

Noun

  • (physiology) metabolic equilibrium actively maintained by several complex biological mechanisms that operate via the autonomic nervous system to offset disrupting changes
  • 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.
  • Such a dynamic equilibrium or balance.

Origin / Etymology

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

Scrabble Score: 16

homeostasis is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
homeostasis is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
homeostasis is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

homeostasis is a valid Words With Friends word