allostasis

A1L1L1O1S1T1A1S1I1S1

noun

The process of achieving stability, or homeostasis, in the body, through physiological or behavioral change.

OriginAncient Greek ἄλλος →
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Meanings

nounallostasis (uncountable)
  1. uncountableThe process of achieving stability, or homeostasis, in the body, through physiological or behavioral change.

    This system of so-called allostasis, of maintaining control through constant change, stands in contrast to the mechanisms of homeostasis that keep the pH level and oxygen concentration in the blood within a narrow and invariant range.

    2009 August 18, Natalie Angier, “Brain Is a Co-Conspirator in a Vicious Stress Loop”, in New York Times

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekἄλλος
  2. Englishallostasis

From Ancient Greek ἄλλος (állos) + στάσις (stásis).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

French allostasie
  • allostasiehomeostasis through physiological or behavioral change
Italian allostasi
  • allostasihomeostasis through physiological or behavioral change
Portuguese alostase
  • alostasehomeostasis through physiological or behavioral change
Cite this entry
APA

allostasis. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/allostasis

MLA

“allostasis.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/allostasis. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “allostasis,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/allostasis.

Source: allostasis on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.