noun
Uncommon
sustainability
suh-stay-nuh-BIH-lih-tee
Sustainability (noun) means the capacity to keep something going long-term without depleting resources or causing lasting damage. Example: “The company published a report on its sustainability goals.”
noun
1
The capacity to keep something going long-term without depleting resources or causing lasting damage.
"The company published a report on its sustainability goals."
"Sustainability is now central to how cities plan new housing."
"Farmers are changing their methods to improve the long-term sustainability of the land."
How to use sustainability
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing able to keep something running or maintained over the long term without wearing out the resources behind it — often used about the environment or business.
Common pairings
environmental sustainability
sustainability goals
long-term sustainability
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Word forms
- Plural
- sustainabilities
Fill the gap
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The company published a report on its _____ goals.
Etymology
From sustainable plus the ending -ity, itself from sustain.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
unsustainability
Related words
Rhymes for sustainability
See all rhymes for sustainability →Frequently asked questions
What does “sustainability” mean?
The word “sustainability” means the capacity to keep something going long-term without depleting resources or causing lasting damage. In plain terms, being able to keep something running or maintained over the long term without wearing out the resources behind it — often used about the environment or business.
How do you pronounce “sustainability”?
“Sustainability” is pronounced suh-stay-nuh-BIH-lih-tee (/səˌsteɪnəˈbɪləti/ in IPA).
How do you use “sustainability” in a sentence?
Here is “sustainability” used in a sentence: “The company published a report on its sustainability goals.”
What is the opposite of “sustainability”?
The opposite of “sustainability” — its antonyms — is unsustainability.
What part of speech is “sustainability”?
“Sustainability” is a noun.
Is “sustainability” a common word?
“Sustainability” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between sustainability and sustainable development?
Sustainability is the underlying capacity to maintain something long-term without depleting resources or causing lasting harm. Sustainable development is the broader practice or process aimed at achieving that capacity, often applied to economic and social planning.
What is the difference between sustainability and environmentalism?
Sustainability specifically concerns keeping systems or resources going long-term without depletion or lasting damage, which can apply to businesses, ecosystems, or communities. Environmentalism is a wider movement focused on protecting the natural world, of which sustainability is one practical goal.
Is sustainability only about the environment?
No, sustainability can apply to any resource or system, including financial, social, or organisational ones, not just environmental ones. Its core idea is maintaining something without depleting what it depends on.
