sustainable
suh-STAY-nuh-bul
/səˈsteɪnəbl/
Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level; (of work) not leading to burnout.
While usually environmental, in this context it means a pace of work that you can keep up for years, not just weeks.
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'sustinere,' which means 'to hold up from below.' Imagine a pillar holding up a roof—if the pillar is strong, the structure is sustainable. If you 'sustain' a pace, you are 'holding up' your effort.
Word relationships
- viable: Viable means it can work; sustainable means it can keep working.
- untenable: A position or pace that cannot be defended or maintained.
Commonly confused with
- renewable: Renewable means it can be replaced; sustainable means the system won't collapse.
Word family
- sustain (verb): to maintain or support.
- sustainability (noun): the ability to be maintained.
Collocations
- sustainable growth
- sustainable pace
- environmentally sustainable
- highly sustainable
Example sentences
- "Working 80 hours a week is not sustainable in the long run." Discussing work habits.
- "The company is committed to sustainable development." Environmental policy.
Memory hook
Sustainable: You are 'Able' to 'Sustain' (keep going). Hold it up, keep it going.
When not to use
Don't use it to mean 'good' or 'green' exclusively; it literally means 'keep-up-able.'
Fun facts
- The term 'sustainable development' was popularized by the Brundtland Report in 1987.
Related words
Explore more words
sustainability, sustain, unsustainable, sustained, regenerative, durable
Also appears in
- Nature → Renewable Energy & Sustainability
- Nature → Climate Change Mitigation
- Demographics & Urban Studies → Smart Cities & Urban Tech
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Sustainable Agriculture & Farming
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → E-Waste & Technological Disposal
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Marine Ecology
- Environmental Policy & Sustainability Economics → Eco-Tourism & Travel
- Food Science & Culinary Craft → Organic Farming Practices
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