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self-sustaining — able to continue or maintain itself without needing help or resources from outside

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: able to continue or maintain itself without needing help or resources from outside

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˌsɛlf səˈsteɪnɪŋ/

Example Sentences

  • My little brother thinks he's self-sustaining because he can make instant noodles by himself.
  • The space station was designed to be self-sustaining for months without supply missions from Earth.
  • Some scientists dream of building a fully self-sustaining city on Mars, complete with its own food and oxygen.

self-sustaining

ADJECTIVE

[/ˌsɛlf səˈsteɪnɪŋ/]

able to continue or maintain itself without needing help or resources from outside

Their off-grid cabin is self-sustaining, powered by solar panels and a vegetable garden.
💡 Concept

Their off-grid cabin is self-sustaining, powered by solar panels and a vegetable garden.

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˌsɛlf səˈsteɪnɪŋ/
🇬🇧 UK/ˌsɛlf səˈsteɪnɪŋ/

🌳Etymology

Prefixself--
Rootsustain
Suffix--ing

Origin

Self-sustaining combines Old English 'self' (meaning 'oneself') with Latin 'sustinere' (to hold up, support), formed from 'sus-' (from below) and 'tenere' (to hold, maintain). The term evolved to describe something capable of maintaining itself without external support.

Breakdown

self (Old English, oneself) + sustain (from Latin sustinere: sus- (from below) + tenere (to hold, maintain)) + -ing (present participle, forming an adjective).

🎵Rhyme

maintaining
remaining
containing

🔗Collocations

self-sustaining ecosystem
self-sustaining economy
self-sustaining community
self-sustaining growth
self-sustaining energy system
become self-sustaining
self-sustaining cycle

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“My little brother thinks he's self-sustaining because he can make instant noodles by himself.”

“The space station was designed to be self-sustaining for months without supply missions from Earth.”

“Some scientists dream of building a fully self-sustaining city on Mars, complete with its own food and oxygen.”

“After years of debt, the company finally became self-sustaining and stopped asking investors for money.”

📚Related Words

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