sustainable

adjective

sus·​tain·​able sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl 

1

: capable of being sustained

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

b

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

sustainable society

sustainability

sə-ˌstā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

sustainably

sə-ˈstā-nə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• 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

This has happened at the same time as Citizens had dropped tens of thousands of policies to get back to a size that can be considered sustainable. —Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025

These metaphorical garages are overflowing with promise, but not sustainable results. —John Schneider, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025

Material World is a weekly roundup of innovations and ideas within the materials sector, covering news from emerging biomaterials and alternative leathers to sustainable substitutes and future-proof fibers. —Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 14 Aug. 2025

New York can lead the nation in building a safer, more sustainable delivery ecosystem — one where workers are protected, our residents are safe, and corporate profits no longer come at the cost of human lives. —Ydanis Rodriguez, New York Daily News, 13 Aug. 2025

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