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

For others, those creatures are their whole lives—and livelihoods. — Forbestv, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2026

For about sixty-four years, by a combination of price supports and production controls, that association preserved the lives and livelihoods of small farmers. — Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Yet, amid all this, the continent’s one bright spot has been agriculture, which is evolving from subsistence farming into sustainable livelihoods. — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Aug. 2026

But people should not be forced to abandon their homes, livelihoods, cultures, and communities because heat has become impossible to endure. — Kathy Baughman McLeod, Time, 4 Aug. 2026

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