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

So much of our livelihood has been in that worker/partnership with Ford one way or another. —Jamie L. Lareau, USA Today, 2 Nov. 2025

It’s supported education for refugee children, clean water and sanitation, livelihoods for informal waste pickers and funded factory decarbonization initiatives. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 31 Oct. 2025

Many equine businesses ultimately agree with the county’s intent of preserving agricultural lands, but fear the unforeseen consequences that could put their livelihoods — and community — at risk. —Grace Hase, Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2025

Following the disaster, officials ordered Sino-Metals, a subsidiary of the Chinese state-run China Nonferrous Metals Industry Group, to compensate affected farmers and residents whose livelihoods were devastated. —Micah McCartney, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 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