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

Your routines and health habits are under a microscope, urging you to consider what is no longer sustainable. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2026

Some bridgers bring strong financial acumen with an ability to translate an ambitious mission into a sustainable financing plan. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 25 Sep. 2026

After filing for bankruptcy in August, the Dutch sustainable denim brand is starting anew with Horizon Capital and N5 Holding, the investment company of fashion entrepreneur Nick de Ronde Bresser, as new shareholders. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 25 Sep. 2026

Not everyone believed that the uptick in revenue would be sustainable. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 24 Sep. 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