viability

[ vahy-uh-bil-i-tee ]

noun

1. ability to live, especially under certain conditions:

   The viability of a fetus outside the womb has increased dramatically with the advent of new technologies and procedures.

2. the capacity to operate or be sustained:

   The viability of the company was guaranteed by the success of its new product.

Other Words From

• nonvi·a·bili·ty noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of viability¹

First recorded in 1820–30; vi(able) ( def ) + -ability ( def )

Example Sentences

That timing also would give the Angels three years to explore the viability of launching their own broadcast and streaming package, as the Ducks have done this year.

From Los Angeles Times

In Florida, which bans abortion beyond six weeks — a point when most women don’t even know they’re pregnant — Amendment 4 would have constitutionally guaranteed a right to an abortion up to the point of fetal viability, which is roughly 24 weeks.

From Los Angeles Times

The one that failed, Initiative 439, would have guaranteed a right to abortion up to viability and was supported by advocates of abortion access.

From Los Angeles Times

Abortion is legal to the point of fetal viability in Montana, for example, but lawmakers there have repeatedly tried to restrict it.

From Los Angeles Times

Both of those states now have constitutionally guaranteed rights to abortion up to the point of viability.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• body
• existence
• growth
• living
• man
• person
• soul
• survival
• woman