viability
noun
vi·a·bil·i·ty
ˌvī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 
: the quality or state of being viable: such as
a(1)
: the ability to live, grow, and develop
the viability of seeds under dry conditions
(2)
: the capability of a fetus to survive outside the uterus
fetal viability
b
: the ability to function adequately
The viability of lymphocytes serially harvested from stored bank blood …—
Biological Abstracts
Biological Abstracts
c
: the ability to succeed or be sustained
This year's market turmoil had called into question the viability of the investment-banking business model …—Wall Street Journal
Wall Street JournalGetting an informed start now may be essential to future growth and economic viability of the U.S. wine industry.—Gordon W Murchie
Gordon W MurchieExamples of viability in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite its smattering of electoral victories a few weeks ago, the Democratic Party has two problems that threaten its long-term viability.
—Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 24 Nov. 2025
Experts have expressed concern about the viability of the payments and impact on the national debt, however, and Bessent himself has said that Americans may not actually get checks, and that the rebates might take the form of a tax cut instead.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2025
The region is known for its harsh climate and difficult terrain, and some experts have doubts about its viability as a national center.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2025
The eight-figure fund is being financed by private investors and will be used to support three to four feature docs and/or series each year with commercial viability.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for viability
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Bradley Gitz, Arkansas Online, 24 Nov. 2025
Experts have expressed concern about the viability of the payments and impact on the national debt, however, and Bessent himself has said that Americans may not actually get checks, and that the rebates might take the form of a tax cut instead.
—Jeremy Tanner, The Hill, 21 Nov. 2025
The region is known for its harsh climate and difficult terrain, and some experts have doubts about its viability as a national center.
—Humberto Basilio, Scientific American, 21 Nov. 2025
The eight-figure fund is being financed by private investors and will be used to support three to four feature docs and/or series each year with commercial viability.
—Addie Morfoot, Variety, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for viability
Cite this Entry
“Viability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viability. Accessed 29 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
viability
noun
vi·a·bil·i·ty
ˌvī-ə-ˈbil-ət-ē
plural viabilities
: the quality or state of being viable : the ability to live, grow, and develop
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