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 : nourishment2 a: the act of sustaining : the state of being sustained b: a supplying or being supplied with the necessaries of life3: something that gives support, endurance, or strength