1. in a metastable manner; in a state of temporary equilibrium that can change to a more stable state
Usage: scientific; technical

Examples

• The compound exists metastably at room temperature.
• The crystal structure remained metastably unchanged for several hours.
• The system operated metastably before transitioning to its ground state.
• The material was metastably suspended between two energy states.
• The reaction proceeded metastably through an intermediate phase.