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

Those fundamental to the past, present and future viability of the project are asking around. —Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2026

Chemistry is key to any conversation about refill viability—but so is consumer psychology. —Kara McGrath, Allure, 22 Apr. 2026

That result marks a key milestone for shipborne laser integration and operational viability. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 21 Apr. 2026

Some Spirit creditors have questioned the airline's ongoing viability and are concerned the airline will not be able to make an upcoming multimillion-dollar debt payment due to surging fuel prices, raising the possibility that the carrier could be forced into liquidation in the near future. —Kris Van Cleave, CBS News, 17 Apr. 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