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

And machine leaders, with their own material livelihoods dependent on getting reelected by local votes, were more than happy to oblige. —Daniel Wortel-London, Washington Post, 5 Jan. 2026

Trump’s patronage hires owe their livelihood to him. —Chicago Tribune, 5 Jan. 2026

At the moment, though, AI seems destined to squeeze the livelihoods of creative professionals who spend decades mastering a craft. —Nick Geisler, The Atlantic, 30 Dec. 2025

Immigrant truck drivers have sued the California Department of Motor Vehicles for terminating the commercial driver's licenses of thousands of drivers, claiming that the decision violated their rights and threatened their livelihood. —Nilesh Christopher Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 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