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

The concept behind social security is not simply to provide relief to the needy, but also to maintain America’s overall economic viability by providing a floor to the health scourge known as poverty.

From Salon

In fact, their results showed that there were positive gains at many levels including biodiversity, ecosystems and economic viability, especially for the combination of beech with Douglas fir.

From Science Daily

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

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

He said The Entertainer, which has 166 shops and employs 2,000 people, had chosen two new stores and done viability assessments on them.

From BBC

Related Words

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