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

With the backing of research foundations as well as major global institutions, Acumen’s initiative will shed light on the importance of sustainable global trade; not in the environmental sense, but rather with a focus on long-term economic viability. —Jason Phillips, USA TODAY, 19 Feb. 2025

When properly stored, most seeds last for years but some lose their viability within a couple of years. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2025

Past questions about airport’s viability As security has continued to tighten in the decades since DCA first opened, discussions on the viability of the airport have been had – especially following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. —Jack Birle, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Jan. 2025

Conversations about boycotting the NFL and this year's Super Bowl have also taken off on Reddit, where users in forums have hosted debates over the viability of a potential boycott. —Jonathan Granoff, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025

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