subsistence

play

noun sub·sis·tence \ səb-ˈsis-tən(t)s \

Definition of subsistence

1 a (1) :real being :existence

(2) :the condition of remaining in existence :continuation, persistence

b :an essential characteristic quality of something that exists

c :the character possessed by whatever is logically conceivable

2 :means of subsisting: such as

a :the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary to support life

b :a source or means of obtaining the necessities of life

—

subsistent

play \-tənt\ adjective

See subsistence defined for English-language learners

See subsistence defined for kids

Examples of subsistence in a Sentence

They depended on hunting and fishing for subsistence.
Farming is their means of subsistence.

Recent Examples of subsistence from the Web

Redford dilly-dallied with jobs in Milwaukee and improving his land and planting subsistence crops, but his aim was to plant more and more wheat, which could be a money crop.

— fred keller, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Farming was significant in development of Lisbon, Menomonee and Germantown," 25 Aug. 2017
About a third of the population of 12 million are subsistence farmers.

— michael cohen, Bloomberg.com, "Rwanda Vote a Formality With Kagame Set to Extend Presidency," 2 Aug. 2017
The search eventually led me to another knowledgeable member of the Iñupiat: Qaiyaan Harcharek, a subsistence research coordinator at the North Slope Department of Wildlife Management in Barrow.

— glen jeffries, Smithsonian, "How to Spot a Hidden Whale," 25 July 2017
At High Country News, Julia O’Malley visits Gambell, Alaska, a community that relies on subsistence hunting for survival.

— pam mandel, Longreads, "A Whale Hunt on Facebook," 20 July 2017
Of course, plenty of poverty remains—most people in Myanmar are still subsistence farmers—but the region’s economic trends are promising.

— The Economist, "More money, less freedomSouth-East Asia’s future looks prosperous but illiberal," 18 July 2017
All along the peninsula, peasants who have been eking out a meager existence by subsistence farming and fishing say they’ve been left to fend for themselves amid a painfully slow recovery, and in the midst of another hurricane season.

— jacqueline charles, miamiherald, "After Hurricane Matthew, many victims in Haiti feel abandoned," 14 July 2017
Mining is a common alternative to subsistence farming in this impoverished country.

— alpha kamara, USA TODAY, "Sierra Leone mystery: What is whopping 709-carat diamond worth?," 4 July 2017
In the mid-1990s a couple of green sturgeon were caught in a subsistence net on the Naknek beach.

— john schandelmeier, Alaska Dispatch News, "Tales of Lake Iliamna monster resurface with new sightings," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'subsistence.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of subsistence

Middle English, from Late Latin subsistentia, from subsistent-, subsistens, present participle of subsistere

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

subsistence Synonyms

Synonyms

actuality, corporality, corporeality, reality, existence, thingness

Antonyms

inexistence, nonbeing, nonexistence, nothingness, unreality

Related Words

genuineness, realness; activity, animation, life; currency, presence, prevalence

Near Antonyms

absence, dearth, lack, want; potentiality, virtuality

SUBSISTENCE Defined for English Language Learners

subsistence

play

noun

Definition of subsistence for English Language Learners

: the amount of food, money, etc., that is needed to stay alive

SUBSISTENCE Defined for Kids

subsistence

play

noun sub·sis·tence \ səb-ˈsis-təns \

Definition of subsistence for Students

:the smallest amount (as of food and clothing) necessary to support life

Learn More about subsistence

See words that rhyme with subsistence Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for subsistence Spanish Central: Translation of subsistence Nglish: Translation of subsistence for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of subsistence for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up subsistence? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

subsistence

Definition of subsistence

subsistent

Explore M-W

Examples of subsistence in a Sentence

Recent Examples of subsistence from the Web

Origin and Etymology of subsistence

subsistence Synonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

Phrases Related to SUBSISTENCE

Related Phrases

SUBSISTENCE Defined for English Language Learners

subsistence

Definition of subsistence for English Language Learners

SUBSISTENCE Defined for Kids

subsistence

Definition of subsistence for Students

Learn More about subsistence

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Breathing Life Into 'Inspire'

Trending: Kim Jong Un: Trump a 'Dotard'

These Are Fighting Words

Merriam-Webster's New Words Quiz—Fall 2017 Edition!

Words of the Year: 1066