English · Culture & Society
sustainable
/səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/
[/səˈsteɪ.nə.bəl/]
able to last
Intermediateadjective
Definition
Able to be maintained over the long term without depleting resources or causing harm.
Example
The factory switched to sustainable materials that can be recycled at end of life.
The factory switched to sustainable materials that can be recycled at end of life.
Etymology
From 'sustain' plus '-able'; the environmental sense rose in the late twentieth century.
How & Where It’s Used
Used in environmental, business, and policy contexts.