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

These factors are steadily eroding the viability of family farms and the broader agricultural economy. —Cristina Larue, Arkansas Online, 16 Sep. 2025

The team recently achieved the production of up to 10 tons of liquid air per day, representing a significant milestone in advancing the technology toward large-scale commercial viability. —Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 12 Sep. 2025

The two discussed the viability of the linear networks in a streaming world, talking up the value of its brands, which include CNN, Discovery Channel, TNT and HGTV. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 12 Sep. 2025

Its viability had been in question without additional funding sources. —Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for viability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

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