sustainability

American  

[suh-stey-nuh-bil-i-tee] / səˌsteɪ nəˈbɪl ɪ ti /

noun

1. the ability to be sustained, supported, upheld, or confirmed.

2. Environmental Science. the quality of not being harmful to the environment or depleting natural resources, and thereby supporting long-term ecological balance.

   The committee is developing sustainability standards for products that use energy.

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Etymology

Origin of sustainability

sustain + -ability

Example Sentences

“When it comes to how consumers feel or what they say about sustainability and where they’ll actually spend their money, there’s a huge gap,” she said.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

South Ayrshire Council said the decision had not been taken lightly and reflected "significant operational, environmental and financial pressures affecting the long term sustainability of the diving pool".

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2026

At Whirlpool’s Kitchen-Aid factory in Ohio, the company has found the system performs “even better than expected,” says Scot Blommel, Whirlpool senior manager of global sustainability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

Newcastle are Saudi-owned, but, given the club's financial constraints under profit and sustainability rules, such a signing is unlikely.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Mom said he went there on vacation one time, instead of going to give lectures on sustainability.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy