DURABLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does durable mean? 

• DURABLE (adjective)
  The adjective DURABLE has 3 senses:

1. existing for a long time

2. capable of withstanding wear and tear and decay

3. very long lasting

  Familiarity information: DURABLE used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DURABLE (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Existing for a long time

Synonyms:

durable; lasting; long-lasting; long-lived

Context example:

a long-lasting friendship

Similar:

long (primarily temporal sense; being or indicating a relatively great or greater than average duration or passage of time or a duration as specified)

Derivation:

durability (permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Capable of withstanding wear and tear and decay

Synonyms:

durable; long-wearing

Context example:

durable denim jeans

Similar:

serviceable (ready for service or able to give long service)

Derivation:

durability (permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Very long lasting

Synonyms:

durable; indestructible; perdurable; undestroyable

Context example:

the perdurable granite of the ancient Appalachian spine of the continent

Similar:

imperishable (not perishable)

Derivation:

durability (permanence by virtue of the power to resist stress or force)

 Context examples 

Analyzing the crystal structure of pigments based on hibonite, a mineral found in meteorites, Subramanian has paved the way for more pigments with vivid hues that are stable, durable and non-toxic.

(Chemists find path to 'new blue' in meteorite minerals, National Science Foundation)

Dental enamel is extremely abundant and it is incredibly durable, which is why a high proportion of fossil records are teeth.

(‘Game-changing’ research could solve evolution mysteries, University of Cambridge)

The HA stem region, however, is less susceptible to change, making it a potential target for novel vaccines aimed at broader, more durable protection.

(Flu infection study increases understanding of natural immunity, National Institutes of Health)

Some of these fragments contain sulfur, which could have helped preserve them in the same way sulfur is used to make car tires more durable.

(NASA Finds Ancient Organic Material, Mysterious Methane on Mars, NASA)

The physician who has ordered diagnostic tests, services, items (e.g., durable medical equipment), or supplies for a patient or study subject.

(Ordering Physician, NCI Thesaurus)

IV BCG vaccination resulted in the highest durable levels of T cells in the blood and lungs.

(Changed route of immunization dramatically improves efficacy of TB vaccine, National Institutes of Health)

The surface is also treated chemically to further enhance its repellent properties, resulting in a barrier that is flexible, durable and inexpensive to reproduce.

(Scientists Create Superbug-Resistant Self-Cleaning Surface, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

The team then incorporated graphene oxide (GO) flakes into the bacterial nanocellulose while it was growing, essentially trapping GO in the membrane to make it stable and durable.

(Novel Technology Uses Bacteria for Cleaning Water, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Even the smooth surface of family-union seems worth preserving, though there may be nothing durable beneath.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

I am laying down good intentions, which I believe durable as flint.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)