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

This recommendation came out of thinking about how to address poverty in a sustainable way, according to Betts-Gaston. —R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026

By introducing these concepts on a high-profile international stage, Hyundai Rotem also signaled alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 priorities, linking advanced defense mobility with broader goals around industrial diversification, localization, and sustainable technology development. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 22 Feb. 2026

So, there’s a way in which land offers, figuratively and literally, fertile space for imagining a way of life, a way of being, that can be sustainable, that can be flourishing. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Feb. 2026

Dry off in luxury with Cariloha’s soft, sustainable towels. —Tory Johnson, ABC News, 21 Feb. 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