durability
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
- undurability noun
- undurableness noun
Etymology
Origin of durability
First recorded in 1350–1400; Latin dūrābili(s) + -tās noun suffix; durable ( def. ), -ty 2 ( def. )
Explanation
Durability is when something lasts a long time. The durability of your favorite pair of hiking boots keeps them from wearing out even when you've walked many miles in them. Use the noun durability to describe the quality of permanence or strength that keeps something working or holds it together. Your parents' thirty year marriage has durability, and your sturdy old car that keeps on running mile after mile also has durability. The Latin root word, durabilis, means "lasting or permanent," and comes from durare, "to last or harden."
Vocabulary lists containing durability
This Week in Words: January 27 - February 2, 2018
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"Ad Power," "Without Commercials," and "What's Wrong with Advertising"
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"The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller, List 5
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As first-quarter earnings loom “amidst parabolic AI revenue inflections at foundational model leaders,” Citi Research analysts expect the concerns around the durability of business models for software-as-a-service companies to intensify in the months ahead.
From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026
That is because U.S. indexes saw big gains out the gate that were quickly tempered by headlines raising questions about the durability of the cease-fire agreement.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026
Oil prices fell sharply, with West Texas Intermediate crude down 14% to $97.59, though analysts cautioned about the deal’s durability.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 8, 2026
He's still got the energy, the durability and the power to deal with opponents and give them problems.
From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026
Later, the judges would score the surviving eggs based on durability and bounce factor and aerodynamic design.
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
