stationary

adjective

sta·tion·ary ˈstā-shə-ˌner-ē

Synonyms of stationary next

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

: unchanging in condition

a stationary population

Did you know?

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 Or put a track on the football field so the camera could keep going with him instead of being stationary. —

Chris Willman, Variety, 25 Aug. 2023 How to Display the American Flag Display the flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and outdoor stationary flagstaffs. —

Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023 Additional designs for daytime running lights and stationary lighting animations are optional and cost extra. —

Eric Stafford, Car and Driver, 25 July 2023 Hines was sitting on a stationary jet ski when he was struck by another water scooter, according to the person who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the Bills had not made an announcement about his injury. —

John Wawrow, BostonGlobe.com, 24 July 2023 In an Instagram video, the 32-year-old takes a trip to an Anytime Fitness gym with her husband Danny and works out on the stationary bike. —

Vanessa Etienne, Peoplemag, 25 Aug. 2023 For those who will typically use their mug for more stationary sipping — like at their work desk or directly from the car cup-holder — a simple splash-guard or leak-resistant lid will likely do the trick, as the mug will remain in a stable and upright position while in use. —

Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 24 Aug. 2023 The company’s stationary bikes had been a hot commodity during Covid-19 lockdowns in 2020, but demand slumped after people began heading back to offices and gyms. —

Nick Turner, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2023 The trend has since gone viral on TikTok. Low-impact workouts such as walking or using a stationary bike aren't necessarily novel. —

Jody Braverman, Health, 22 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stationary.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.