Metastability in electronics is the ability of a digital electronic system to persist for an unbounded time in an
unstable equilibrium or
metastable state. In metastable states, the circuit may be unable to settle into a stable '0' or '1'
logic level within the time required for proper circuit operation. As a result, the circuit can act in unpredictable ways, and may lead to a system failure, sometimes referred to as a "glitch". Metastability is an instance of Buridan's ass paradox.