lived; living; lives
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
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 live—
John 11:25 (Revised Standard Version)
John 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
W. R. Inge8
: to have a life rich in experience
"You haven't really lived until you've worn cashmere socks. …"—Carson Kressley, quoted in Cosmopolitan
Carson Kressley, quoted in Cosmopolitan9
: cohabit
She lived with that actor for over a year.
1
: to pass through or spend the duration of
lived their lives alone
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
1
2
: exerting force or containing energy: such as
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
: at the actual time of occurrence : during, from, or at a live production
the program was broadcast live
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
Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Those wanting to stream the show live can do so with a Peacock premium subscription or stream new episodes the next day with a basic Peacock subscription.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
Along the road, shoppers thronged the market stalls, buying live chickens, vegetables, spices, snacks, and sundries.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Courier Journal contributing critic Marc Zakem opened his review of the show by noting how some of his friends turned into fanatics for Springsteen, willing to drive out to Cincinnati and Indianapolis to experience him live.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for live
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Nikki lives with her family in Hawaii.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Those wanting to stream the show live can do so with a Peacock premium subscription or stream new episodes the next day with a basic Peacock subscription.
—Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
After being integrated, this system will demonstrate its capabilities in live-fire tests – advancing the Department of War’s effort to evaluate and accelerate new, cost-effective strike capabilities for conventional deterrence.
—Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 27 Oct. 2025
Along the road, shoppers thronged the market stalls, buying live chickens, vegetables, spices, snacks, and sundries.
—Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2025
Adverb
American news outlets broadcast live as hostages from Israel and beyond were reunited with their families.
—Mosab Abu Toha, New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2025
Courier Journal contributing critic Marc Zakem opened his review of the show by noting how some of his friends turned into fanatics for Springsteen, willing to drive out to Cincinnati and Indianapolis to experience him live.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for live
Cite this Entry
“Live.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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 adjective2
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
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