stationary Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite standing still
    • the car remained stationary with the engine running
  2. adjective satellite not capable of being moved
    • stationary machinery

WordNet

Sta"tion*a*ry adjective
Etymology
L. stationarius: cf. F. stationnaire. Cf. Stationer.
Definitions
  1. Not moving; not appearing to move; stable; fixed.
    Charles Wesley, who is a more stationary man, does not believe the story. Southey.
  2. Not improving or getting worse; not growing wiser, greater, better, more excellent, or the contrary.
  3. Appearing to be at rest, because moving in the line of vision; not progressive or retrograde, as a planet.
Sta"tion*a*ry noun
Wordforms
plural -ries
Definitions
  1. One who, or that which, is stationary, as a planet when apparently it has neither progressive nor retrograde motion. Holland.

Webster 1913