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

There are no single-use plastics—glass water bottles are filled with purified well water and all the amenities are crafted from sustainable materials in partnership with South African artisans and eco-conscious businesses. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Mar. 2026

Residents interested in home electrification and sustainable living will have an opportunity to see real-world examples up close on the 2026 Green @ Home Neighborhood Tour on Saturday, March 14. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026

Derived from sustainable agricultural and forestry sidestreams such as sawdust and straw, the resins address a significant part of the sustainability challenge. —Etiido Uko march 08, New Atlas, 8 Mar. 2026

Voters are skeptical of genuine and sustainable long-term progress. —Juan Rangel, Chicago Tribune, 8 Mar. 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