ScienceAugust 17, 2026

homeostatic

hoh-mee-uh-STAY-tik

Definition

Relating to the self-regulating process by which a biological system maintains internal stability while adjusting to changing external conditions.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'homoios' meaning 'similar' and 'stasis' meaning 'standing still.' The term was coined in the early 20th century to describe the physiological process of maintaining equilibrium.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe how Earth potentially maintains its habitability by controlling its own chemical and physical states, similar to how living organisms regulate their internal environments.

Planet Earth Is Conscious With a ‘Mind’ Shaping the Fate of All Life, Controversial Theory Suggests

Read the full article ↗

Popular Mechanics

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