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

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

Getting an informed start now may be essential to future growth and economic viability of the U.S. wine industry.

—Gordon W Murchie

Examples of viability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Among Democrats and moderates however, his policies have raised concerns over economic viability. —Rebecca Schneid, Time, 30 June 2025

From a financial standpoint, the arrangement allows Volkswagen to realize €1.5 billion in annual labor cost savings while retaining production viability in Germany. —Michelle Mbekeani, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025

Some observers are more skeptical of Adams' viability. —Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 27 June 2025

To Jain, Tuesday’s election was proof that Mamdani’s viability as a candidate didn’t hinge on his willingness to budge on his beliefs, such as his democratic socialist agenda and his support for Palestinians. —Angela Yang, NBC news, 26 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for viability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

Medical 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