sustainable

adjective sus·tain·able \ sə-ˈstā-nə-bəl \

|Updated on: 1 Aug 2018

Examples: sustainable in a Sentence

Definition of sustainable

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

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sustainability

play \sə-ˌstā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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sustainably

play \sə-ˈstā-nə-blē\ adverb

See sustainable defined for English-language learners

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 of sustainable from the Web

This sends message, from those of us who are involved in this from financial perspective, that the current process is not sustainable.

— susan demar lafferty, Daily Southtown, "Lincoln-Way, Manhattan support push for school sales tax referendum," 29 June 2018
The company also collaborates with high-impact organizations that build sustainable solutions, so your dollar goes to help smaller organizations that have demonstrated outstanding impact, agility, and persistence.

— jill k. robinson, SFChronicle.com, "Essentials: Travel gear for exploring (and saving) the planet," 18 June 2018
Chile’s economy relies on extracting and exporting natural resources such as copper, but that isn’t sustainable in the long term, the document states.

— tania rabesandratana, Science | AAAS, "Chile, keen to become a knowledge society, creates a ministry of science," 6 June 2018
Students will leave from the bootcamp Tuesday with reusable bags filled with aardvark paper straws to distribute to restaurants in their communities and hometowns to show residents sustainable alternatives to plastic straws.

— wilborn p. nobles iii, NOLA.com, "Students join 'Entourage' actor Adrian Grenier in environmentalism workshop," 4 June 2018
This is not sustainable based on growth and fluctuating property taxes.

— scott maxwell, OrlandoSentinel.com, "15 questions for the candidates for Orange County mayor. Where do they stand?," 24 May 2018
Such an approach isn't sustainable for long but the Rams clearly are in win-now mode and little will be expected immediately of this draft class.

— mark maske, chicagotribune.com, "NFC draft grades: The Giants and Cardinals pass with flying colors. The Saints do not.," 30 Apr. 2018
As the beauty industry seeks to become more sustainable, many brands are starting internal recycling programs that offer rewards and discounts.

— jessica cruel, SELF, "You Should Be Recycling Your Beauty Products—10 Things You Need to Know," 7 July 2018
Meanwhile, as countries across the world plot a course toward a sustainable future, US policy falls farther and farther behind.

— david roberts, Vox, "The Netherlands contemplates the world’s toughest climate law," 6 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sustainable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.