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
Leaders should evaluate how well an alternative banking platform balances agility with security, compliance, operational resilience and long-term viability.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Core Power has initiated a research project to analyze the viability of mounting small modular reactors onto ocean vessels.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026
Unlike polling, which is not typically prone to the same kind of meddling by campaigns, betting on one’s own campaign could ultimately change voters’ minds regarding the viability of a candidate.
—Matt Motta, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
The board also voted to commission a study to determine the viability of a performing arts center as another potential anchor, with the redevelopment agreement requiring the village to decide whether to pursue the project within three years.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for viability
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Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Core Power has initiated a research project to analyze the viability of mounting small modular reactors onto ocean vessels.
—Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 18 June 2026
Unlike polling, which is not typically prone to the same kind of meddling by campaigns, betting on one’s own campaign could ultimately change voters’ minds regarding the viability of a candidate.
—Matt Motta, The Conversation, 16 June 2026
The board also voted to commission a study to determine the viability of a performing arts center as another potential anchor, with the redevelopment agreement requiring the village to decide whether to pursue the project within three years.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for viability
Cite this Entry
“Viability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viability. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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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