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Definition of"sustainable" in English

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sustainable

/səˈsteɪnəbl/
Adjective

Definitions

1

Adjective

Able to be maintained at a certain rate or level without depleting natural resources or causing severe ecological damage.
🟡Intermediate
2

Adjective

Of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not depleted or permanently damaged; specifically, meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
🟡Intermediate
3

Adjective

Capable of being continued or endured over a long period; viable.
🟡Intermediate

Examples

  • "The company adopted sustainable practices to reduce its environmental footprint."

    The company adopted sustainable practices to reduce its environmental footprint.

  • "Achieving sustainable economic growth is a global challenge."

    Achieving sustainable economic growth is a global challenge.

  • "The community focused on building a sustainable food system."

    The community focused on building a sustainable food system.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Etymology

Derived from the verb 'sustain' (from Old French 'sostenir' meaning 'to hold up, support') + '-able'. The concept of sustainability, particularly in the context of resource management, gained prominence in the 18th century with Hans Carl von Carlowitz, a German forestry expert, who coined the term 'nachhaltende Nutzung' (sustainable use) in 1713, advocating for harvesting only as much timber as could be regrown.

Cultural Notes

The modern understanding of 'sustainable' often refers to the 'three pillars' or 'triple bottom line' of sustainability: environmental, economic, and social. Environmental sustainability focuses on natural resource preservation; economic sustainability on long-term financial viability; and social sustainability on equity, human rights, and well-being. The United Nations' 1987 Brundtland Report, 'Our Common Future,' popularized the definition of sustainable development as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.' The UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development further outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to achieve a more sustainable future for all.

Frequency:Very Common

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