sustainable

adjective

sus·​tain·​able sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl How to pronounce sustainable (audio)
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 noun
sustainably adverb

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 Supporters say car-free zones would infuse more energy into communities and give residents and visitors an incentive to ditch a car for a more sustainable mode of travel. Luz Lazo, Washington Post, 24 Nov. 2023 Tencel lyocell is a biodegradable material made from sustainable wood sources—in this case, eucalyptus. Medea Giordano, WIRED, 24 Nov. 2023 Girlfriend Collective: Some of our editors’ favorite travel essentials—comfortable leggings, packable puffers, and versatile exercise dresses, to name a few—come from the beloved size-inclusive and sustainable clothing brand Girlfriend Collective. Meaghan Kenny, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Nov. 2023 The brand is known for the quality of construction, as well as its sustainable materials. Andrea Navarro, Glamour, 24 Nov. 2023 Enter, Better Life’s Natural Floor Cleaner, our pick for the best laminate floor cleaner with sustainable features. Kelsey Mulvey, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Nov. 2023 The emphasis on quality craftsmanship and sustainable materials reflects a deep respect for the environment and a desire for long-lasting, timeless design. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2023 Integrating other sustainable practices, such as precision agriculture, is also recommended for increasing productivity of farm land. Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 20 Nov. 2023 Helping Protect Natural Resources Using Advanced Geospatial Tech And AI Geospatial technology and innovations hold the key to sustainable sourcing, protecting forests and oceans, and other significant steps toward conservation and preservation of our natural resources. Yael Maguire, Forbes, 13 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sustainable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sustainable was in 1924

Dictionary Entries Near sustainable

Cite this Entry

“Sustainable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainable. Accessed 1 Dec. 2023.

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