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

The cost of inaction could be substantial enough to justify urging candidates to assess their viability before the filing deadline. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2026

In February 2025, the Miami Beach City Commission passed a resolution directing Fernandez to explore the viability of a service center in the city. —Aaron Leibowitz, Miami Herald, 5 Mar. 2026

Despite the many bold predictions of a financial crisis, the AI industry has held on, successfully convincing investors of the tech’s long-term viability. —Victor Tangermann, Futurism, 4 Mar. 2026

In October 2016, Van Lent published an article with other foundation staff questioning the reservoir’s viability. —Michael Adno, Rolling Stone, 3 Mar. 2026

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