viable

adjective vi·a·ble \ ˈvī-ə-bəl \

|Updated on: 14 Jun 2018

Definition of viable

1 a : capable of living

a viable skin graft

viable offspring

b 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 fetus

c : capable of growing or developing

viable seeds

viable eggs

2 a : capable of working, functioning, or developing adequately

viable alternatives

b : 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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viability

play \ˌvī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

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viably

play \ˈvī-ə-blē\ adverb

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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

In some cases, state insurance regulators scrambled last year to ensure markets would be viable.

— melanie evans, WSJ, "What Latest Health-Law Case Means for Insurance Markets," 9 June 2018
Add to that the fact that there are 16 candidates on the ballot, though only four Democrats and two Republicans (charitably four) are considered viable.

— michael smolens, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Will San Diego be the 'blue wave' canary in a coal mine?," 3 June 2018
Some were told their tissue had been destroyed; others were told their tissue may still be viable.

— catherine ho, San Francisco Chronicle, "Lawsuit: Maker of failed tank at SF fertility clinic has recalled other products," 1 June 2018
However, the west and south portals have never been used and were still considered viable for future tests.

— anna fifield, Washington Post, "North Korea expected to close nuclear test site, despite squabbles," 24 May 2018
However, the west and south portals have never been used and were still considered viable for future tests.

— anna fifield, Anchorage Daily News, "North Korea declares its nuclear test site closed after a ‘huge explosion’," 24 May 2018
The owl's humerus was still viable, the nerves were still intact and the circulation good, Convy said.

— the washington post, NOLA.com, "Who wins: truck versus owl, and the owl survives," 8 May 2018
Nightfall purports to be about the difficulties of traditional farming in contemporary England, where maintaining the life and the land as they have been maintained for generations is no longer financially viable.

— toby zinman, Philly.com, "London theater: 'Nightfall' at the Bridge Theatre: Missed opportunity, just another boring family drama," 8 May 2018
The major reason was that the developer's plan wasn't judged to be financially viable -- a flop the city hopes to avoid repeating.

— ely portillo, charlotteobserver, "Charlotte has ideas for saving the Eastland Mall site. But will any of them work? | Charlotte Observer," 26 Apr. 2018

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.