self-sustaining
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of self-sustaining
First recorded in 1835–45
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.
For years, many researchers believed that the brain's specialized immune cells, known as microglia, were established at birth and remained a self-sustaining population throughout life.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 14, 2026
He said the blaze was "self-sustaining" and changing direction, with the fire moving east towards Bordeaux on Friday evening.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
The taco stand about 100 yards off had its normal self-sustaining line.
From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2026
“Michael” might be a self-evident, self-sustaining, self-indulgent piece of PR.
From Salon ● Apr. 25, 2026
It would have lacked the energy to sustain itself under normal conditions, however, the fission bomb provides it with all the energy it requires to grow and become self-sustaining.
From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson
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.
