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

Not just that mid-level, standalone financier and producer had left the market, but what that means for the viability of movies and TV shows that ask vital questions about justice and the humanity’s future. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 19 Apr. 2024

But don’t risk the viability of your financial health focusing on your making your major purchase by neglecting the smaller ones. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 18 Apr. 2024

Embryos that are not frozen do not retain viability, or the ability to live, so they are discarded. —Wendy Wisner, Health, 16 Apr. 2024

The Bennett Freeze was temporarily lifted in 1992, and an ambitious $20 million construction plan for new dwellings was proposed that would have improved living conditions and increased the economic viability of the Bennett Freeze area. —The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024

On June 24 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade, which since 1973 had federally protected access to abortions until the point of viability, around 24 weeks. —Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 8 Apr. 2024

However, shots fired nearby after the last flight’s take off on Sunday have called into question the viability of continuing the evacuation flights, the source said. —Caitlin Stephen Hu, CNN, 11 Mar. 2024

Left unanswered were questions about the major league viability of a 25-year-old minor league site. —Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

Tuesday’s announcement comes during a time of industry-wide unease about the viability of EVs. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 3 Apr. 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