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

Explanation

If something is sustainable, then it can be maintained or continued. A 5-minute mile pace probably isn't sustainable for anyone other than Olympic marathon runners. These days this adjective is often used to describe something that has a low long-term effect on the environment, like "sustainable agriculture" — a method of farming that doesn’t ravage the land, deplete resources permanently, or produce a great deal of pollution. Break down the word into two parts: sustain and able, to visualize and remember that you're able to sustain something sustainable.

Example Sentences

Sanberg pleaded guilty in October to the federal charges of conspiring to bilk investors out of $248 million for portraying the now-defunct Aspiration as a “socially-conscious and sustainable banking services and investment products” firm.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

He also says that lower capital expenditure outlook is positive for cash generation, which came as a surprise, and the new lower level is one that should be sustainable even if macro trends improve.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

The King was presented with the badge by Blue Peter presenter Joel Mawhinney, and the foundation's sustainable food systems curriculum manager, Liza Kengran.

From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026

Second, find companies and founders using AI in sectors with sustainable growth potential and a history of stability.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026

He tells me about the sustainable farms that are beginning to pop up in parts of the countryside.

From "Marcus Vega Doesn't Speak Spanish" by Pablo Cartaya

Related Words

• continual
• continuous
• viable