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

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

From BBC

Citing low productivity, industrial decline and an ageing population, the institutes warned that Germany's economy would soon be unable to grow sustainably.

From Barron's

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

From BBC

Anthony White KC, who represented Associated in court, said many of the most damaging allegations would no longer be sustainable.

From BBC

The company’s premise that consumers would pay a premium for sustainably made products proved flawed, according to an analyst.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• continual
• continuous
• viable