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Sustainable: meaning, definitions and examples

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sustainable

 

[ səˈsteɪnəb(ə)l ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

development

Capable of being sustained; able to be maintained at a certain rate or level. In the context of development, it refers to practices that meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Synonyms

eco-friendly, environmentally friendly, green, renewable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
sustainable

Something that is capable of being maintained over the long term without harming the environment.

  • The company is focused on developing sustainable practices
  • Sustainable agriculture practices help preserve the soil
environmentally friendly

Similar to eco-friendly, this phrase describes practices, products, or technologies that are not harmful to the environment.

  • Switching to environmentally friendly vehicles can reduce your carbon footprint
  • The hotel uses environmentally friendly toiletries
eco-friendly

Products or practices that do not harm the environment.

  • We are using eco-friendly cleaning products
  • These eco-friendly bags are made from recycled materials
green

A general term often used to describe products, initiatives, and practices that are aimed at promoting environmental health.

  • The company has adopted several green initiatives
  • He lives in a green building that's designed to reduce energy consumption
renewable

Refers to energy sources or resources that are replenished naturally and are therefore more sustainable over the long term.

  • Solar and wind power are two common types of renewable energy
  • They are investing in renewable resources to decrease dependence on fossil fuels

Examples of usage

  • Sustainable development aims to address the needs of the present without jeopardizing the needs of future generations.
  • Companies are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to reduce their environmental impact.
  • The government introduced policies to promote sustainable agriculture.
  • The construction industry is moving towards more sustainable building materials.
  • Sustainable energy sources like solar and wind power are gaining popularity.

Translations

Translations of the word "sustainable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 sustentável

🇮🇳 सतत

🇩🇪 nachhaltig

🇮🇩 berkelanjutan

🇺🇦 стійкий

🇵🇱 zrównoważony

🇯🇵 持続可能な

🇫🇷 durable

🇪🇸 sostenible

🇹🇷 sürdürülebilir

🇰🇷 지속 가능한

🇸🇦 مستدام

🇨🇿 udržitelný

🇸🇰 udržateľný

🇨🇳 可持续的

🇸🇮 trajnosten

🇮🇸 sjálfbær

🇰🇿 тұрақты

🇬🇪 მდგრადი

🇦🇿 dayanıqlı

🇲🇽 sostenible

Etymology

The term 'sustainable' originated from the Latin word 'sustinere', which means 'to uphold' or 'to support'. The concept of sustainability gained prominence in the 1980s with the publication of the Brundtland Report, which defined sustainable development as 'development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs'. Since then, the idea of sustainability has become a key focus in various fields, from environmental conservation to business practices.

See also: sustain, sustainability, sustainably, sustained, sustaining, sustainment, sustenance, unsustainability, unsustainable.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,252 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.