/ ˈtenəbl; NAmE / adjective
1.
( of a theory, an opinion, etc. ) easy to defend against attack or criticism :
a tenable position
The old idea that this work was not suitable for women was no longer tenable.
OPP untenable
2.
[ not before noun ] ( of a job, position, etc., especially in a university ) that can be held for a particular period of time :
The lectureship is tenable for a period of three years.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent.: from French , from tenir to hold, from Latin tenere .