Definition of viable
1a : capable of living a viable skin graft viable offspringb of a fetus : having attained such form and development of organs as to be normally capable of surviving outside the uterus a 26-week old viable fetusc : capable of growing or developing viable seeds viable eggs
2a : capable of working, functioning, or developing adequately viable alternativesb : capable of existence and development as an independent unit The colony is now a viable state.c (1) : having a reasonable chance of succeeding a viable candidate (2) : financially sustainable a viable enterprise
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Examples of viable in a Sentence
The departure point for a viable peace deal—either with Syria or the Palestinians—must not be based purely on what the political traffic in Israel will bear, but on the requirements of all sides. —Aaron David Miller, Newsweek, 12 Jan. 2009
As gene therapy begins to enjoy some preliminary successes, scientists at the World Anti-Doping Agency, which oversees drug testing for the Olympics, have started to worry that dopers might now see abuse of gene therapy in sport as a viable option, though the practice was banned by WADA in 2003. —Patrick Barry, Science News, 2 Aug. 2008
Under today's forest management practices, few trees die natural deaths and fewer still attain the girth of the old-growth trees that supported the ivory-bill. The sad fact is that there is really no place in the United States today where a viable population of ivory-bills could persist even if captive reared birds were on hand to stock a release program. —John Terborgh, New York Review of Books, 26 Apr. 2007
To ponder [John] Updike's work in now old-fashioned sociopolitical terms, it might be said that he examines our struggle to maintain a viable center for our inner life while enduring the most revolutionary force in history—American capitalism. —Robert Stone, New York Times Book Review, 18 June 2006
At stake is the survival of our civilization and the habitability of the Earth. Or, as one eminent scientist put it, the pending question is whether the combination of an opposable thumb and a neocortex is a viable combination on this planet. —Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth, 2006
When a patient agrees to forego a bed at the Portland VA—so far 75% of viable candidates have agreed to do so—a small “strike force” swings into action. The patient is sent home, typically with various medicines, oxygen tanks, and sometimes, a mobile X-ray machine. A nurse visits every day to perform tests, provide IV infusions and monitor medications. As a backup, a physician is on 24-hour standby for emergencies. —Gautam Naik, Wall Street Journal, 19 Apr. 2006
Another truth is that corks expire with age. A few wineries recognize that fact and recork their library wines every 25 years or so, but that's not a viable process for most collectors. —James Laube, Wine Spectator, 31 Mar. 2005
a viable solution to the problem
He could not suggest a viable alternative.
Is she a viable candidate?
Recent Examples of viable from the Web
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In a marathon session lasting well past midnight, the Senate voted to allow abortions when a mother’s life is in danger, when the fetus is not viable, and in cases of rape.
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The Senate voted to allow abortions when a mother’s life is in danger, when the fetus is not viable and in cases of rape.
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Scoles: To convince people that SETI was viable, Tarter had to go both big-picture and small-detail.
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There's nothing more important, from an evolutionary perspective, than being able to have a strongly viable offspring.
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Hammond, speaking to reporters in Istanbul where Tillerson traveled after visiting Ukraine and attending the G-20 summit in Hamburg last week, said the 13 demands were not viable, at least as a package.
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Immigrants and temporary seasonal workers who come here to work in the farms and factories have kept the town viable.
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Some of the standard inflationary models have now been ruled out by precise empirical data, and this is part of the desirable process of using observation to thin out the set of viable models.
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Walmart's decision not to make an offer would appear to make Kroger the largest supermarket player capable of making a viable rival counter offer.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'viable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of viable
French, from Middle French, from vie life, from Latin vita — more at vital
VIABLE Defined for English Language Learners
viable
playDefinition of viable for English Language Learners
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: capable of being done or used
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: capable of succeeding
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: capable of living or of developing into a living thing
VIABLE Defined for Kids
viable
playDefinition of viable for Students
1 : capable of living or growing viable seeds
2 : possible to use or apply a viable plan
Medical Dictionary
viable
playMedical Definition of viable
1: capable of living the skin graft was viable viable cancer cells; especially : having attained such form and development as to be normally capable of surviving outside the uterus a 26-week old viable fetus
2: capable of growing or developing viable eggs
Learn More about viable
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See words that rhyme with viable Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for viable Spanish Central: Translation of viable Nglish: Translation of viable for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of viable for Arabic speakers
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