Stability criteria are guidelines used to determine whether a system, such as a control system or dynamic system, will remain in a steady state or return to it after a disturbance. These criteria help engineers and scientists assess how systems respond to changes, ensuring they operate safely and effectively. Common stability criteria include the Routh-Hurwitz criterion and Nyquist stability criterion, which provide mathematical methods for analyzing system behavior. By applying these criteria, professionals can predict potential issues and design systems that maintain stability under various conditions, ultimately enhancing performance and reliability.