viability

[vahy-uh-bil-i-tee]

noun

1. ability to live, especially under certain conditions.

   The viability of a fetus outside the womb has increased dramatically with the advent of new technologies and procedures.

2. the capacity to operate or be sustained.

   The viability of the company was guaranteed by the success of its new product.

Other Word Forms

• nonviability noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of viability¹

First recorded in 1820–30; vi(able) ( def. ) + -ability ( def. )

Example Sentences

But awards season success hasn’t always ensured long-term financial viability.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A state law requires cities to evaluate the viability of their evacuation routes.

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Insurers have responded by implementing substantial premium increases for 2026 in an effort to restore viability, but the business remains far from attractive to investors because the enrollee pool is becoming sicker and smaller.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It outlined a series of recommendations aimed at boosting manufacturing viability of green construction products and alter the tax burden to support eco-friendly homes.

Read more on BBC

"With low consumer spending and disproportionately high costs still affecting some tourism businesses' viability, they still need support to recover."

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Related Words

• body 
• existence 
• growth 
• living 
• man 
• person 
• soul 
• survival 
• woman