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
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
Wall Street JournalGetting an informed start now may be essential to future growth and economic viability of the U.S. wine industry.—Gordon W Murchie
Gordon W MurchieExamples of viability in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
This line up was a convincing demonstration of the designer’s range and of the viability of Stem as a brand.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2024
Several recent reports show that New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act is not going as planned, falling short of its goals and raising questions about its long-term viability.
—Jane Menton, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2024
In the proceeding weeks, close allies of Biden and high-profile Democrats publicly and privately hedged their bets on his electoral viability.
—Jerel Ezell, Scientific American, 23 July 2024
The Washington Post reported that former President Obama had told allies that Biden needed to seriously consider his viability at the top of the Democratic ticket, and that his path to winning had diminished.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for viability 
Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 6 Aug. 2024
Several recent reports show that New York’s Climate Leadership & Community Protection Act is not going as planned, falling short of its goals and raising questions about its long-term viability.
—Jane Menton, New York Daily News, 4 Aug. 2024
In the proceeding weeks, close allies of Biden and high-profile Democrats publicly and privately hedged their bets on his electoral viability.
—Jerel Ezell, Scientific American, 23 July 2024
The Washington Post reported that former President Obama had told allies that Biden needed to seriously consider his viability at the top of the Democratic ticket, and that his path to winning had diminished.
—Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for viability
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'viability.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near viability
Cite this Entry
“Viability.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/viability. Accessed 20 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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