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.

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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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of sustainable

sustain + -able

Example Sentences

A spokesperson said the couple had sought to deliver a "highly sustainable home that has been sympathetically designed".

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

We also excluded stocks with dividend payout ratio above 90%, to ensure payouts are sustainable.

From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026

“For us the definition of success is to compete in a sustainable way,” said Thorrington, who is also LAFC’s co-president.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

My key focus is, first of all, to build a company that can exist as an independent company that delivers long-term, durable, sustainable growth.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

“I need to send it to a man called Dr. Ben. He runs a sustainable futurist community in New York State called the Ranch.”

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy

Related Words

• continual
• continuous
• viable