viable
Americanadjective
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capable of living.
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Physiology.
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physically fitted to live.
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(of a fetus) having reached such a stage of development as to be capable of living, under normal conditions, outside the uterus.
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Botany. able to live and grow.
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vivid; real; stimulating, as to the intellect, imagination, or senses.
a period of history that few teachers can make viable for students.
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practicable; workable.
a viable alternative.
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having the ability to grow, expand, develop, etc..
a new and viable country.
adjective
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capable of becoming actual, useful, etc; practicable
a viable proposition
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(of seeds, eggs, etc) capable of normal growth and development
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(of a fetus) having reached a stage of development at which further development can occur independently of the mother
Other Word Forms
- unviable adjective
- viability noun
- viably adverb
Etymology
Origin of viable
First recorded in 1820–30; from French, from vi(e) “life” (from Latin vīta; vital ) + -able -able
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.
The Avon and Somerset police service noted that Bob Vylan's chant "drew widespread anger" and "every potential criminal offence was thoroughly considered" before determining that prosecution was not viable.
From Barron's
Of the 129 brands selling electric cars and plug-in hybrids in China as of last year, only 15 are expected to be financially viable by 2030, according to consulting firm AlixPartners.
Plant based diets remain a viable option for children and can offer both health and environmental benefits.
From Science Daily
It’s not always a viable option anyway: The bar to commit someone against their will is high in most states.
Because the heart can only remain viable for a short time, the surgical team began with the heart transplant.
From Science Daily
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.
