breadwinner
noun
bread·win·ner
ˈbred-ˌwi-nər 
plural breadwinners
1
: a member of a family whose wages supply the family's principal or only means of support
the main/primary/sole breadwinner in the family
… many more households have two breadwinners, making it unlikely that there will be someone home all afternoon to cook.—
Mark Bittman
Mark Bittman2
: a means (such as a tool, craft, or activity) of livelihood : a way of earning income
Crop diversity kept the overall value of Montana agriculture strong even as wheat, the state agriculture's breadwinner, faltered.—Tom Lutey
Tom LuteyCatfish farming has become the breadwinner industry for many families in west Alabama …—Robert Dewitt and Benita D. Newton
Robert Dewitt and Benita D. NewtonExamples of breadwinner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In his absence, Cooper's wife and three young children, who'd lost their breadwinner, became homeless.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
This push into traditional housewife and breadwinner roles came after many women had been working outside the home during the war in jobs usually held by men.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2025
As of the previous year, 45 percent of moms, and a full 69 percent of Black moms, were breadwinners in their households.
—Anna North, Vox, 26 June 2025
Her brother had been the primary breadwinner for her and her three children.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breadwinner
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 4 July 2025
This push into traditional housewife and breadwinner roles came after many women had been working outside the home during the war in jobs usually held by men.
—Beth Lipoff, Kansas City Star, 2 July 2025
As of the previous year, 45 percent of moms, and a full 69 percent of Black moms, were breadwinners in their households.
—Anna North, Vox, 26 June 2025
Her brother had been the primary breadwinner for her and her three children.
—Emily Witt, New Yorker, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for breadwinner
Cite this Entry
“Breadwinner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breadwinner. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
breadwinner
noun
bread·win·ner
ˈbred-ˌwin-ər
: a person whose wages provide support for his or her family
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share