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

Eco effort The property holds Green Key certification and runs initiatives such as rainwater collection for irrigation, reduction of single-use plastics, composting partnerships, and sustainable sourcing of food and beverages. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Nov. 2026

Success at the business level doesn’t tell you whether success is sustainable for the person living it. — Sukhinder Singh Cassidy, Fortune, 7 Nov. 2026

The former employee remembered Petterson and Villalba saying that, as long as the Odyssey sold out of cabins, the business would be financially sustainable. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026

While this stockpile supported its requirements during that period, the restoration of production provides a more sustainable basis for meeting future needs. — Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 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