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

Commercial real estate is suffering, municipal taxes are declining, and the viability of businesses that depend on intense footfall–from barbers to baristas–is being undermined. —Ian Goldin, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2023

Getting the first one under his belt should quell outside noise about Napier’s long-term viability with the Gators (2-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference). —Mark Heim | [e-mail], al, 16 Sep. 2023

The long-term viability of the linear Freeform channel remains unclear because Charter is the nation’s second-largest pay-TV provider and other distributors could follow Charter’s lead. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 11 Sep. 2023

Abortions could be prohibited after fetal viability, typically about 22 to 24 weeks gestation, unless a physician determines one is required to save the pregnant patient's life or health. —Jessie Balmert, The Enquirer, 24 Aug. 2023

However, Charter has sought to frame the disagreement as part of a broader debate about the financial viability of cable in the streaming era. —Bypaolo Confino, Fortune, 7 Sep. 2023

The Big Ten has not made any decisions regarding the viability of Oregon playing Oregon State or for the Apple Cup to continue being played at the end of the regular season, but the conference has not ruled it out either. —oregonlive, 25 Aug. 2023

But doubts have been raised about the town’s long-term viability. —Eli Tan, Anchorage Daily News, 24 Aug. 2023

Each organization will be given $100,000 in unrestricted funds to help drive their mission of creative viability. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 21 Aug. 2023

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Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

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