live

1 of 3

verb

lived; living; lives

intransitive verb

1
: to be alive : have the life of an animal or plant
one of the greatest writers who ever lived
2
: to continue alive
lived to a ripe and vigorous old age
3
: to maintain oneself : subsist
lived on rice and peas
see also live off
4
a
: to occupy a home : dwell
living in a shabby room
They had always lived in the country.
b
: to be located or stored
the silverware lives here
5
: to attain eternal life
though he die, yet shall he liveJohn 11:25 (Revised Standard Version)
6
: to conduct or pass one's life
lived only for his work
7
: to remain in human memory or record
… the past lives in us all …W. R. Inge
8
: to have a life rich in experience
"You haven't really lived until you've worn cashmere socks. …"Carson Kressley, quoted in Cosmopolitan
9
: cohabit
She lived with that actor for over a year.

transitive verb

1
: to pass through or spend the duration of
lived their lives alone
2
: act out, practice
often used with out
to live out their fantasies
3
: to exhibit vigor, gusto, or enthusiasm in
lived life to the fullest
4
a
: to experience firsthand
living a dream
b
: to be thoroughly absorbed by or involved with
she lives her work

live

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: having life : living
a live lobster
b
: existing in fact or reality : actual
spoke to a real live celebrity
2
: exerting force or containing energy: such as
a
: afire, glowing
live coals
b
: connected to electric power
c
: charged with explosives and containing shot or a bullet
live ammunition
also : armed but not exploded
a live bomb
d
: imparting or driven by power
a live axle
e
: being in operation
a live microphone
3
: abounding with life : vivid
4
: being in a pure native state
5
: of bright vivid color
6
: of continuing or current interest
live issues
7
a
: not yet printed from or plated
live type
b
: not yet typeset
live copy
8
a
: of or involving a presentation (such as a play or concert) in which both the performers and an audience are physically present
a live record album
a nightclub with live entertainment
performed before a live audience
b
: of or relating to an event that is broadcast or reported as it is occurring
a live webcast
live sports/news coverage
posted live updates
The speech was broadcast on live television.
see also live stream entry 1, live streaming entry 2
c
: involving or relating to communication (as over the Internet) that occurs in real time
offers 24-7 live support
a live chat session
9
: being in play
a live ball

live

3 of 3

adverb

: at the actual time of occurrence : during, from, or at a live production
the program was broadcast live
Phrases
live it up
: to live with gusto and usually fast and loose
lived it up with wine and songNewsweek
live up to
: to act or be in accordance with
had no intention of living up to his promise
live with
: to put up with : accept, tolerate
had to live with their decision

Examples of live in a Sentence

Verb We learned about the people who lived during colonial times. I wonder what it was like to live then. She's one of the greatest writers who ever lived. It was one of the largest animals that has ever lived. He lived to the age of 92. He's very sick and he may not live much longer. I hope I live to see the day when you admit you've been wrong about me! I'll remember that day for as long as I live. He lives next door to his parents. We lived in the city. Adjective They object to the use of live animals in scientific experiments. a nightclub with live music She was nervous about being interviewed on live radio. The network is providing live coverage of the debate. Use caution when you are working near live electrical wires. Adverb The program was shown live. We are broadcasting live from downtown. Here he is—live in concert! The album was recorded live.
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Panelists espoused how increasing happiness benefited the greater good: Happy people live longer, are healthier, more successful at work and are more likely to volunteer. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 Original author James Clavell based Toranaga on the real-life shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, who lived during the late 16th and early 17th centuries and who was responsible for reviving the Gagaku music traditions that largely disappeared during the civil wars that preceded his rise to power. Jon Burlingame, Variety, 14 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for live 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'live.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from Old English libban; akin to Old High German lebēn to live

Adjective

short for alive

First Known Use

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Adjective

1531, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

1946, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of live was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near live

Cite this Entry

“Live.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

live

1 of 2 verb
lived; living
1
a
: to be alive
b
: to continue alive
2
: to keep oneself alive : subsist
lived on berries the whole time
courtiers living off the king
3
: to have a home : dwell
lives next door
4
: to pass one's life
live peacefully
5
: to show great enthusiasm or excitement in
lived life to the fullest
6
: to experience firsthand
living a dream

live

2 of 2 adjective
1
a
: having life : living
b
: existing in fact or reality : actual
spoke to a real live celebrity
2
a
: burning usually without flame
live coals
b
: carrying an electric current
a live wire
c
: not exploded
a live bomb
3
: of present or continuing interest
a live issue
4
a
: being present at the performance
a live audience
b
: broadcast at the time of production
a live television program
5
: being in play
a live ball

Medical Definition

live

1 of 2 intransitive verb
lived; living
1
: to be alive : have the life of an animal or plant
2
: to continue alive
lived for 50 years
3
: to maintain oneself
lives on a vegetarian diet
4
: to conduct or pass one's life
a parasite living in the body of a host

live

2 of 2 adjective
: having life : living

More from Merriam-Webster on live

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