sustainable

adjective

sus·​tain·​able sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl 

1

: capable of being sustained

sustainable growth

a sustainable business model

And the ratings spike did not prove sustainable for the rest of the evening.

—Brian Steinberg

2

a

: of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged

sustainable techniques

sustainable agriculture

The study reflects a broadening search for more climate-friendly sustainable protein sources.

—Ashley Miznazi

b

: of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods

a sustainable society

a sustainable future

… the most sustainable garment is one that already exists.

—Angela Velasquez

sustainability

sə-ˌstā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

… several boards throughout the state that focus on green building and sustainability.

—Melissa Followell

sustainably

sə-ˈstā-nə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms of sustainable

• justifiable

Examples of sustainable in a Sentence

a line of argument that is probably not sustainable in a public forum against skilled debaters

has no sustainable claim to the property without a deed or some other document

Recent Examples on the Web

The 787 Dreamliner is part of a broader fleet modernization program to build a more efficient, sustainable, and competitive airline, PAL said. — Ian Sayson, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Tax relief should be thoughtful, sustainable, and focused on protecting homeowners while maintaining the essential services our communities depend on. — Chris Vincent, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026

Reflect Orbital wants to deliver sunlight to Earth after dark to increase the yield of solar plants and agricultural farms, provide free, sustainable lighting to construction sites and illuminate disaster zones in search of missing persons. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 20 July 2026

Pouring cheaper tokens through a leaky foundation isn’t a sustainable solution. — Sumeet Agrawal, Fortune, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sustainable

• trainable
• ascertainable
• unattainable
• unexplainable
• unobtainable
• unsustainable
• attainable
• explainable
• maintainable
• obtainable