sustainable

American  

[suh-stey-nuh-buhl] / səˈsteɪ nə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being supported or upheld, as by having its weight borne from below.

2. pertaining to a system that maintains its own viability by using techniques that allow for continual reuse.

   sustainable agriculture. Aquaculture is a sustainable alternative to overfishing.

3. able to be maintained or kept going, as an action or process.

   a sustainable negotiation between the two countries.

4. able to be confirmed or upheld.

   a sustainable decision.

5. able to be supported as with the basic necessities or sufficient funds.

   a sustainable life.

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sustainable British  

/ səˈsteɪnəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being sustained

2. (of economic development, energy sources, etc) capable of being maintained at a steady level without exhausting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage

   sustainable development

3. (of economic growth) non-inflationary

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Other Word Forms

• nonsustainability noun
• nonsustainable adjective
• sustainability noun
• unsustainable adjective

Etymology

Origin of sustainable

sustain + -able

Explanation

If something is sustainable, then it can be maintained or continued. A 5-minute mile pace probably isn't sustainable for anyone other than Olympic marathon runners. These days this adjective is often used to describe something that has a low long-term effect on the environment, like "sustainable agriculture" — a method of farming that doesn’t ravage the land, deplete resources permanently, or produce a great deal of pollution. Break down the word into two parts: sustain and able, to visualize and remember that you're able to sustain something sustainable.

Example Sentences

Ellis stresses that the ability to create a more sustainable and equitable future is not new.

From Science Daily • Apr. 19, 2026

A spokesperson for Daera said: "Animal by-products are a potential source of risk to public and animal health. Farmers have a legal obligation to dispose of animals in a safe and sustainable manner."

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

The British Medical Association's Dr Phil White said: "By improving the health of the nation, we are able to prevent disease and create a sustainable future for the NHS, improving services overall."

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026

Surely there’s more to the plan, one would hope — something substantive and sustainable.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

It wasn’t enough to create a sustainable equity fund, but it was a start.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Related Words

• continual
• continuous
• viable