isostasy

noun

isos·​ta·​sy ī-ˈsä-stə-sē How to pronounce isostasy (audio)
1
: general equilibrium in the earth's crust maintained by a yielding flow of rock material beneath the surface under gravitative stress
2
: the quality or state of being subjected to equal pressure from every side
isostatic adjective
isostatically adverb

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary is- + Greek -stasia condition of standing, from histanai to cause to stand — more at stand

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of isostasy was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near isostasy

Cite this Entry

“Isostasy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/isostasy. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

isostasy

noun
isos·​ta·​sy ī-ˈsäs-tə-sē How to pronounce isostasy (audio)
: the state of balance that exists between the earth's crust and the denser rock material beneath
isostatic adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on isostasy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!