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 super El Niño now forming could cause both drought and extensive flooding in parts of the Greater Horn of Africa, causing population displacement and tremendous loss of livelihoods. — Peter Hailey, The Conversation, 16 July 2026

Anyone in the United States has the constitutional right to protest something as politically important as this crime against humanity without risking the loss of their livelihood. — Literary Hub, 14 July 2026

Money is tight, especially since a plague has devastated the coffee harvest and destroyed the livelihoods of Miguel’s parents, Pino (Luis Alberti) and Teresa (Fátima Molina). — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026

While creators would receive income from the use of their work in AI training and AI outputs, these sums are not calculated to compensate for market dilution and the loss of their livelihood. — Zoey Forbes, The Dial, 7 July 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