stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

plural stabilizers

: one that stabilizes something: such as

a

: a substance added to another substance (such as an explosive or plastic) or to a system (such as an emulsion) to prevent or delay an unwanted alteration of physical state

b

: a gyroscope device to keep ships steady in a heavy sea

c

: an airfoil providing stability for an airplane

specifically : the fixed horizontal member of the tail assembly see airplane illustration

Examples of stabilizer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Delta Flight 7’s left wingtip clipped the horizontal stabilizer, a part of the tail, of Air Canada Flight 785 as it was being towed to its gate, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. — Alexandra Skores, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026

Anduril relies on Applied Aerospace to deliver the physical aircraft, supplying everything from the engine fuselage and main landing gear assemblies to the wings and horizontal stabilizers. — Harvey Stober, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026

Viewed from the front, Northrop’s aircraft has a broad nose and wings that blend into the body without the vertical stabilizers found on most fighters. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 26 Sep. 2026

The brown detailing can be made out against orange sidewalls and a red vamp and a deep red vamp and heel stabilizer for an autumnal color palette. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 24 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing stabilizer

• mood stabilizer

Rhymes for stabilizer

• advertiser
• analyser
• analyzer
• appetizer
• atomizer
• breathalyzer
• colonizer
• digitizer
• equalizer
• fertilizer
• localizer
• merchandiser

Kids Definition

stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

: one (as a chemical or a device) that stabilizes something

especially : a fixed surface for stabilizing the motion of an airplane

Medical Definition

stabilizer

noun

sta·​bi·​liz·​er

variants also British stabiliser

ˈstā-bə-ˌlī-zər 

: one that stabilizes something

especially : a substance added to another substance or to a system (as an emulsion) to prevent or retard an unwanted alteration of physical state