sustainable

[ suh-stey-nuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being supported or upheld, as by having its weight borne from below.
2. pertaining to a system that maintains its own viability by using techniques that allow for continual reuse:

   sustainable agriculture. Aquaculture is a sustainable alternative to overfishing.

3. able to be maintained or kept going, as an action or process:

   a sustainable negotiation between the two countries.

4. able to be confirmed or upheld:

   a sustainable decision.

5. able to be supported as with the basic necessities or sufficient funds:

   a sustainable life.

sustainable

/ səˈsteɪnəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being sustained
2. (of economic development, energy sources, etc) capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage

   sustainable development

3. (of economic growth) non-inflationary

Other Words From

• sus·taina·bili·ty noun
• nonsus·taina·ble adjective
• nonsus·taina·bili·ty noun
• unsus·taina·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sustainable¹

sustain + -able

Example Sentences

“If we can get rid of enough people, then our way of life can become more sustainable.”

From Salon

Through this project, he said, the city will start using recycled water as a “new source of sustainable, drought-proof drinking water supply.”

From Los Angeles Times

The Treasury said 40% of APR had been going to "the 7% wealthiest claimants", and that it had "made a difficult decision to ensure the relief is fiscally sustainable".

From BBC

"Further works to services, including electrics, and improvements to space are also needed, to give the concert hall a thriving and sustainable future," it added.

From BBC

Its addition to the register "will help to ensure that essential repairs are carried out and focus given to finding sustainable new uses," the heritage body said.

From BBC

Related Words

• continual
• continuous
• viable