Main Entry: sus·te·nance

Pronunciation: \ˈsəs-tə-nən(t)s\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from sustenir

Date: 14th century

1 a : means of support, maintenance, or subsistence : living b : food, provisions; also : nourishment
2 a : the act of sustaining : the state of being sustained b : a supplying or being supplied with the necessaries of life
3 : something that gives support, endurance, or strength