durability
Americannoun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of durability
First recorded in 1350–1400; Latin dūrābili(s) + -tās noun suffix; see 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.
Possible applications could include professional treatments for enamel erosion, products for sensitive teeth, and materials designed to improve the durability of fillings or other restorations.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 23, 2026
He appealed to state governments to ensure that boat operators invest in fibre and aluminium boats, which are considered much safer than traditional wooden vessels due to their superior strength and durability.
From BBC ● Jul. 20, 2026
It isn’t yet clear whether humanoid robots can be successfully mass-produced without compromising quality and durability.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026
“I am very protective of Hollywood and its ongoing durability and success,” Bonta said Tuesday during a virtual town hall.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 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.
