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

The internet has enabled social media, e-commerce, streaming services, and online education – transforming human lives and creating a gazillion means of livelihood for human beings. —Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 4 Feb. 2026

His confession became a lightning rod for frustrations from workers who say AI is already eroding their livelihoods. —Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 4 Feb. 2026

This hits nurses, teachers, drivers, and manual laborers hardest — people who work on their feet and whose bodies are their livelihoods. —Phara Souffrant Forrest, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026

At Monday’s news briefing, Giacalone explained that crews still go out even in winter to press their livelihood. —Michael Casey, Chicago Tribune, 2 Feb. 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