In meteorology, the stability of the atmosphere in the vertical direction to vertical displacements. If Γ is the dry adiabatic lapse rate, dry air is stable if the lapse rate -dT/dz < Γ, unstable if -dT/dz > Γ and neutral -dT/dz = Γ.
See: inversion, lapse rate (in atmospheric chemistry)
Source:
PAC, 1990, 62, 2167. 'Glossary of atmospheric chemistry terms (Recommendations 1990)' on page 2215 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199062112167)