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

Hidalgo-Monroy Wohlgemuth argues that, even with initiatives that offer farmers a livable income and pricing stability, such fair trade agreements aren’t a catch-all solution for rural livelihood development. —JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025

Still, there is room for policy action to actually improve Nigerian livelihoods, particularly by solving food inflation. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 Oct. 2025

Work gives us livelihoods, structure, and purpose. —Jane Marie Chen, Time, 10 Oct. 2025

No doubt customer service, HR, and IT workers in the industry are wondering how their employers will respond—and whether their livelihoods are at risk. —Adam Gale, Fortune, 9 Oct. 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