sustainable

American  

[suh-stey-nuh-buhl] / səˈsteɪ nə bəl /

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 British  

/ 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 Word Forms

• nonsustainability noun
• nonsustainable adjective
• sustainability noun
• unsustainable adjective

Etymology

Origin of sustainable

sustain + -able

Example Sentences

The data was stronger than forecast, "but vastly overstates the sustainable pace of job growth," said Oxford Economics lead US economist Nancy Vanden Houten.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Reducing travel time would make the mission more practical and more sustainable.

From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026

The company, which makes shoes from wool and eucalyptus, attracted young Bay Area consumers and celebrities for its sustainable practices, but has since struggled to find its footing.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

He says he would normally be "thrilled" to pay staff more, but "the cost increases have got to be sustainable".

From BBC • Mar. 31, 2026

They’re named Alicia and Lyon, and Lyon keeps using words like repurposed and sustainable.

From "Leah on the Offbeat" by Becky Albertalli

Related Words

• continual
• continuous
• viable