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

Questions about building codes Climbing through the rubble, residents questioned online the viability of their homes. — Syra Ortiz-Blanes, Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

This marks an evolution of the CFO role from scorekeeper to strategic future forecaster, essential for industry viability. — Brooke Roberts-Islam, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

Per Hinestroza, moving textile recycling forward in sports attire is going to come down to financial viability. — Sarah Jones, Footwear News, 21 July 2026

Skepticism remains regarding the short-term viability of hydrogen flight. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for viability

• ability
• agility
• civility
• debility
• docility
• ductility
• facility
• fertility
• fragility
• futility
• gentility
• hostility

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