Stationary Meaning: Definition and Examples

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stationary

[ˈsteɪʃənəri ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

office supplies

Not moving or not intended to be moved.

Synonyms

fixed, immobile, motionless, static, still.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stationary	Used to describe something that is not moving or intended to be moved. Commonly used in contexts involving objects or equipment. The bicycle was stationary, leaning against the wall. The car remained stationary at the traffic light.
immobile	Describes something that cannot move or be moved. Often used when discussing physical incapacity or constraint. After the accident, he was immobile for several weeks. The heavy machinery was immobile due to a breakdown.
motionless	Suggests complete stillness without any movement. Used for short-term or brief moments of inactivity. The deer stood motionless, sensing danger. She remained motionless during the meditation session.
still	Describes complete absence of motion. Commonly used in everyday contexts and can refer to both living beings and inanimate objects. The water in the pond was perfectly still. She sat still, waiting for the surprise.
fixed	Implies something is firmly in place or unchanging. Often used in contexts involving a state of permanence or stability. The mirror was fixed to the wall with screws. She has a fixed routine every morning.
static	Implies lack of movement or change, often used in a technical or scientific context. The static image displayed on the screen showed no signs of error. The economy has been static for the past few months.

Examples of usage

He sat at his stationary desk for hours.
The stationary bike in the gym is broken.
They sell stationary items such as pens and notebooks.
The car was stationary at the red light.
The cat remained stationary, waiting for its prey.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

writing paper

Writing paper and other office materials.

Synonyms

letter paper, stationery, writing materials, writing paper.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
stationary	This word is used to describe something that is not moving, remaining in one place. The car remained stationary at the traffic light The earth appears stationary from our point of view
writing paper	This generally refers to paper intended for written work, like notes, essays, or letters. He grabbed a sheet of writing paper to jot down his thoughts The teacher requested that all assignments be submitted on lined writing paper
stationery	This refers to materials used for writing and office work, such as paper, pens, envelopes, etc. It is important to distinguish this from 'stationary,' which means not moving. She has a drawer full of personalized stationery Buying high-quality stationery can make your correspondence look more professional
letter paper	This refers to paper specifically designed for writing letters, often used for formal or personal correspondence. She bought beautiful letter paper to write a letter to her grandmother The office supplies store offers a variety of letter paper for different occasions
writing materials	This is a general term for all the tools and supplies needed for writing, including pens, pencils, paper, and other related items. The artist's desk was cluttered with various writing materials Students need to bring their own writing materials to the exam

Examples of usage

She bought some lovely stationary for her letter.
His stationary was personalized with his initials.
They offer a wide selection of stationary at the store.

Interesting Facts

Grammar

In linguistics, 'stationary' can describe adjectives that signify lack of movement, contrasting with 'mobile'.
Commonly mixed up with 'stationery', which refers to writing materials, but they have very different meanings.
In certain contexts, like physics, stationary objects are those not changing position relative to a frame of reference.

Physics

In mechanics, a stationary object is one that remains at rest until acted upon by an external force.
Newton's first law of motion states that an object at rest will remain at rest unless a force causes it to move.
Stationary states are important in quantum mechanics when discussing particles that do not change position.

Art

Many artists use stationary objects like statues or furniture in still-life paintings to create a sense of stability and composition.
In photography, capturing stationary subjects can evoke a sense of calmness compared to moving ones, enriching the visual narrative.
Stationary scenes in animation contrast dynamic movement, allowing for focus on storytelling and character emotion.

Environmental Science

Stationary sources of pollution, like factories and power plants, emit pollutants while remaining in one location.
The concept of stationary waves is also vital in understanding sound and energy distribution in environmental contexts.
In climate studies, identifying stationary weather patterns helps in understanding long-term climate change impacts.

Origin of 'stationary'

Main points about word origin

Derived from the Latin word 'stationarius', meaning 'to stand firm' or 'standing in a place'.
The root 'sta' is also related to words like 'stand', 'stable', and 'static', all indicating a state of stillness.
First recorded use in English dates back to the late 14th century.

The word 'stationary' comes from the Latin word 'stationarius', meaning 'pertaining to a station'. It has been used in English since the 15th century to describe something that is not moving or intended to be moved. Over time, it has also come to refer to writing paper and office supplies. The spelling 'stationary' is often confused with 'stationery', which specifically refers to writing materials.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,343 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5340 refined
5341 gradient
5342 evaluating
5343 stationary
5344 tribal
5345 electrode
5346 faults
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