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

Devastating Consequences for Artists If passed, this exception would fundamentally undermine the economic viability of the creative industry. —Virginie Berger, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

The project’s persistent delays, massive cost overruns, and lack of clear funding solutions justify reconsidering its viability. —Phillip Molnar, The Mercury News, 28 Feb. 2025

Discretionary spending should be scrutinized but any thoughtful approach must address mandatory spending — including changes to Social Security and Medicare to ensure their viability. —Tyrone E. Keys Jr., Baltimore Sun, 23 Feb. 2025

Trump calculated, shrewdly, to try to retain his electoral viability after his January 6 defeat; Bolsonaro seems to have lacked that impulse control. —Quico Toro, The Atlantic, 23 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for viability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility

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