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sustainable

suh-STAY-nuh-bul /səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/

adjectiveB2IELTSTOEFLSAT

generalacademicbusiness

Able to be maintained at a certain level without depleting natural resources or causing long-term ecological damage.

Refers to practices that meet current needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.

The story behind the word. From Anglo-Norman 'sustener', from Latin 'sustinere' (to hold up, bear, endure), combining 'sub-' (under/up from below) and 'tenere' (to hold). In 1987, the UN Brundtland Commission popularized 'sustainable development' in its present sense.

Word relationships

viable: Viable means workable in the short to medium term, while sustainable explicitly guarantees long-term ecological balance.
enduring: Enduring means lasting, but sustainable emphasizes balance without resource exhaustion.

unsustainable: Unsustainable practices cause resource depletion and eventual failure.

Commonly confused with

attainable: Attainable means achievable, while sustainable means able to be maintained continuously over time.

Word family

sustainability (noun): The quality of being sustainable.
sustainably (adverb): In a sustainable manner.

Collocations

sustainable development
sustainable agriculture
sustainable practices
environmentally sustainable

Idioms & expressions

sustainable future

Example sentences

"Sustainable farming practices focus on preserving soil health and reducing reliance on synthetic pesticides." Agricultural policy
"The city developed a sustainable transport network featuring electrified buses and extensive bike lanes." Urban development

Memory hook

SUSTAIN + ABLE = ABLE to SUSTAIN life for generations. Able to hold up over time.

When not to use

Do not use to describe short-term quick fixes; sustainable requires long-term viability.

Fun facts

The classic definition of sustainable development came from the 1987 UN Brundtland Report titled 'Our Common Future'.