viability

noun

vi·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌvī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the quality or state of being viable: such as

a(1)

: the ability to live, grow, and develop

the viability of seeds under dry conditions

(2)

: the capability of a fetus to survive outside the uterus

fetal viability

b

: the ability to function adequately

The viability of lymphocytes serially harvested from stored bank blood …

—Biological Abstracts

c

: the ability to succeed or be sustained

This year's market turmoil had called into question the viability of the investment-banking business model …

—Wall Street Journal

Getting an informed start now may be essential to future growth and economic viability of the U.S. wine industry.

—Gordon W Murchie

Examples of viability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2022, New York City Mayor Eric Adams offered Randall’s Island as a potential venue, but Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali disagreed about the viability of that location, a small island of ballfields that would be difficult to access for the 300,000-plus fans anticipated at such an event. —Thomas Buckley, Fortune, 21 May 2024

Thanks to the extensive experience and proprietary lab protocols, RMI knows precisely how to ensure every batch of cells is tested and safe, as well as ensuring the highest viability of those cells. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 11 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

viability

noun

vi·​a·​bil·​i·​ty ˌvī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

plural viabilities

: the quality or state of being viable : the ability to live, grow, and develop