What does sustainable mean?
Sustainable means able to be maintained or continued over time, especially without depleting resources, damaging the environment, or compromising future generations’ ability to meet their needs. The word is widely used in discussions of sustainable development, sustainable energy, sustainable agriculture, and sustainable business practices. It can describe a system or resource, such as a renewable energy source, or the methods used to sustain it, such as responsible farming practices. In everyday use, sustainable often carries a positive environmental implication, although its broader meaning also covers economic and social viability. A sustainable plan is one that can endure over the long term rather than producing short-term gains at the expense of future stability. The term became especially influential in the late twentieth century as environmental concerns and the need to balance development with conservation became central to public policy.
adjectiveCapable of being maintained or continued over time without causing serious harm to the environment, exhausting resources, or undermining future viability.
- Capable of being maintained or continued over time without depleting resources or causing unacceptable harm.
- Able to meet present needs while preserving resources and opportunities for future generations.
- Designed or practiced so that environmental, economic, or social systems can endure over the long term.
"The city is investing in sustainable transport to reduce emissions and improve public health."
"Farmers are adopting sustainable methods that protect soil health while maintaining productive yields."
"Her argument for sustainable development was persuasive because it balanced economic growth with environmental protection."
Sustainable comes from the idea of holding something up: its roots trace back to Latin words meaning “to hold from below” and “to hold.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sustainable come from?
The adjective derives from sustain, which comes through Old French from the Latin sustinere, “to hold up” or “to support from below.” That Latin verb combines the prefix sub-, meaning “under” or “from below,” with tenere, “to hold.” The modern sense of maintaining something over time developed from this older idea of giving support or keeping something from falling.
Related word forms
How sustainable is actually used
The word is common in environmental, economic, and social-policy contexts. It can suggest either long-term viability or, more specifically, practices that avoid exhausting resources or damaging ecosystems. It is generally more formal than terms such as “green” or “eco-friendly.”
Easily confused with sustainable
Sustainable describes something that can be maintained over time, while sustaining describes the act of keeping it going.