Standard Lemma guide

isostasy

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • UK: /ʌɪˈsɒstəsi/

1

noun

Meaning 1

The state of balance or pressure equilibrium thought to exist within the Earth's crust, whereby the upper lithosphere floats on denser magma beneath.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: geography, geology, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

(geology) a general equilibrium of the forces tending to elevate or depress the earth's crust

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: equilibrium

History

Etymology

From iso- + Ancient Greek στάσις (stásis, “a standing”).

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: isostasia — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma
  • French: isostasie — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma
  • Greek: ισοστασία (isostasía) — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma
  • Hungarian: izosztázia — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma
  • Icelandic: flotjafnvægi — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma
  • Irish: iseastacht — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma
  • Tagalog: katigalan — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma
  • Tagalog: katiglan — the state of balance of the Earth's lithosphere floating on the magma