Stagnation
[stæɡˈneɪʃən]
Definitions
A cessation of flow or growth; a state of inactivity or dormancy.
[stæɡˈneɪʃən]
A state of inactivity or lack of progress.
The company's profits have suffered from years of stagnation.
💡 Simply: Imagine a traffic jam that never ends. Nothing's moving forward, right? That feeling, or when a business isn't growing, is stagnation. It's like being stuck!
👶 For kids: When things stop moving or growing, that's stagnation. Like when you're waiting for the swing set, and nobody gets off.
More Examples
After the initial burst of creativity, there was a period of artistic stagnation.
The stagnation of the river led to a foul odor.
We fear that stagnation in the tech industry will lead to fewer advances.
How It's Used
"The economy faced a period of stagnation with low growth and high unemployment."
"The stagnation of the pond led to a buildup of algae."
"Political stagnation prevented important reforms from being enacted."
From Latin *stagnare* 'to flood, stagnate,' from *stagnum* 'pool, swamp.' The word entered English in the late 16th century, initially referring to the state of standing water. Its meaning expanded to include economic and social standstill.
Initially used to describe standing water or the lack of flow. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass any state of inactivity or lack of progress.
Memory tip
Think of a stagnant pond: still, no movement, and possibly unhealthy. Stagnation in any context means lack of progress.