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

Already, the climbing temperatures are threatening the viability of all hatchlings. —Luena Rodriguez-Feo Vileira, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024

But despite its transformative goals, the project remains politically contentious, with critics questioning its costs and viability. —Andy Biggs, Newsweek, 25 Dec. 2024

On the viability and timeliness of MicroStrategy's higher Bitcoin investment, financial analysts and industry professionals have offered differing opinions. —Jim Osman, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024

Then the pressure will be even more intense, and the debates over Purdy’s viability to deliver a championship will be trebled in volume. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 22 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

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