livelihood

noun

live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce livelihood (audio)
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
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.
But for Dambeck and the farmers who had pinned their hopes on the renewal of the program, the temporary freeze felt like a glimpse of what could come, a reminder that their contracts and their livelihoods may not survive beyond this season. Chaewon Chung october 16, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2025 These groups are crucial to sustaining food, income, and livelihoods for coastal communities. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Oct. 2025 Your reputation, your career, your livelihood — important things are on the line. Jon Landau, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2025 People’s livelihoods will be upended. Peter Aitken, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for livelihood

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of livelihood was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Livelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livelihood. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

livelihood

noun
live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce livelihood (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on livelihood

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