livelihood

noun

live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d 

1

: means of support or subsistence (see subsistence sense 2)

The villagers' main livelihood is fishing.

2

obsolete : the quality or state of being lively

Examples of livelihood in a Sentence

Many fishermen believe that the new regulations threaten their livelihoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

After all, their livelihoods were born out of their heavy presence online. —Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 May 2025

Their livelihoods and social lives and careful dance of adherence to and independence from Mormonism depend on it. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 15 May 2025

Ambrose has to go trawling in increasingly dangerous waters to make ends meet and put food on the table but, when his livelihood becomes too precarious, he is forced to look for work further afield and out of his comfort zone. —Malcolm Forbes, Boston Herald, 15 May 2025

The indictment also alleges that, in addition to physical violence and threats to their livelihoods, Combs used incriminating footage from freak offs to blackmail, control, and silence his victims. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 13 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English livelode course of life, from Old English līflād, from līf + lād course — more at lode

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for livelihood

• misunderstood
• unlikelihood
• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood

Kids Definition

livelihood

noun

live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d 

: living entry 2 sense 3