re·li·able
ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl 
1
: suitable or fit to be relied on : dependable
2
: giving the same result on successive trials
reliableness
noun
: one that is reliable
Examples of reliable in a Sentence
Adjective
He's not very reliable. You can't always count on him to do what he says he'll do.
We can't write a report without reliable data.
We need more reliable information before we can take action.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Major oil exporters outside of the Middle East have been lifted by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with some looking to position themselves as reliable suppliers in a world desperate for energy.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
The new ol’ reliable will serve as a mainstay in your capsule wardrobe for seasons to come.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reliable
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Adjective
The team claims the technology could be applied across various fields, including robotic grippers that require repetitive motion and deployable structures for space missions, where lightweight and reliable actuation systems are critical.
—Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 26 Mar. 2026
Major oil exporters outside of the Middle East have been lifted by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with some looking to position themselves as reliable suppliers in a world desperate for energy.
—Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 25 Mar. 2026
Noun
The explorers, in over their heads, ran for cover to an old reliable, and arrived at the house’s whiskey sour: a sweet, frothy delicacy topped with exquisitely marbled foam.
—Sheldon Pearce, New Yorker, 20 Feb. 2026
The new ol’ reliable will serve as a mainstay in your capsule wardrobe for seasons to come.
—Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for reliable
Cite this Entry
“Reliable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reliable. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
reliable
adjective
re·li·able
ri-ˈlī-ə-bəl
: giving the same result on successive trials
a reliable psychological test
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