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
Einstein’s brain was preserved using mid-20th-century methods, long before advances in genetic storage, making its viability uncertain.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
Kenya’s president was brought in, addressing the concern of the project’s political viability and ostensibly helping to cut through what would otherwise have been huge amounts of red tape.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were reported to have privately defended Siebert and questioned the viability of the case against James.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
This low-impact approach not only preserves ecosystems but adds value with tastier wine as well as certifications and storytelling, appealing to ethical constituencies and enhancing long-term viability amid climate challenges.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for viability
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Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 22 Sep. 2025
Kenya’s president was brought in, addressing the concern of the project’s political viability and ostensibly helping to cut through what would otherwise have been huge amounts of red tape.
—Alexis Akwagyiram, semafor.com, 22 Sep. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were reported to have privately defended Siebert and questioned the viability of the case against James.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2025
This low-impact approach not only preserves ecosystems but adds value with tastier wine as well as certifications and storytelling, appealing to ethical constituencies and enhancing long-term viability amid climate challenges.
—Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 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 30 Sep. 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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