STATIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does static mean? 

• STATIC (noun)
  The noun STATIC has 2 senses:

1. a crackling or hissing noise caused by electrical interference

2. angry criticism

  Familiarity information: STATIC used as a noun is rare.

• STATIC (adjective)
  The adjective STATIC has 3 senses:

1. not in physical motion

2. concerned with or producing or caused by static electricity

3. showing little if any change

  Familiarity information: STATIC used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• STATIC (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A crackling or hissing noise caused by electrical interference

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

atmospheric static; atmospherics; static

Hypernyms ("static" is a kind of...):

disturbance; interference; noise (electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "static"):

radio noise (static at radio wavelengths)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Angry criticism

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

they will probably give you a lot of static about your editorial

Hypernyms ("static" is a kind of...):

criticism; unfavorable judgment (disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings)

• STATIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Not in physical motion

Synonyms:

inactive; motionless; static; still

Context example:

the inertia of an object at rest

Similar:

nonmoving; unmoving (not in motion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Concerned with or producing or caused by static electricity

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Synonyms:

electrostatic; static

Context example:

an electrostatic generator produces high-voltage static electricity

Pertainym:

static electricity (electricity produced by friction)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Showing little if any change

Synonyms:

stable; static; unchanging

Context example:

a static population

Similar:

unchangeable (not changeable or subject to change)

 Context examples 

This contrasts with the usual static image display and can assist in visual interpretation.

(Cine Display Mode, NCI Thesaurus)

Testing the static magnetic field gradients on medical imaging devices for their ability to move objects.

(Device Magnetically Induced Displacement Force Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

Testing the static magnetic field gradients on medical imaging devices for their ability to rotate objects.

(Device Magnetically Induced Torque Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

Testing the static magnetic field gradients on medical imaging devices for their ability to induce heat in objects.

(Device Radiofrequency Induced Heat Testing Evaluation Method, Food and Drug Administration)

An exercise that is performed by exerting force against an immovable object or by holding an object in a static position.

(Isometric Exercise, NCI Thesaurus)

The team’s calculations revealed that this static charge can reach ten thousand volts in some materials, like the Teflon suits used in the Apollo lunar missions.

(Solar Eruptions Could Electrify Martian Moons, NASA)

In January, you have an open road to accomplish a lot without planetary static, so use your opportunity to be highly productive now.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

Like static on a telephone line, peripheral nerve disorders distort or interrupt the messages between the brain and the rest of the body.

(Peripheral Nerve Disorders, NIH: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)

The team of researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles reveal that their snow-based triboelectric nanogenerator — snow TENG as they refer to it — uses static electricity to generate charge.

(Nanogenerator Creates Electricity from Snowfall, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Researchers liken the charge to the static electricity generated when you rub a balloon on your hair.

('Electric Sands' Cover Titan, VOA News)