subsistence
noun
sub·sis·tence
səb-ˈsi-stən(t)s 
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
Examples of subsistence in a Sentence
They depended on hunting and fishing for subsistence.
Farming is their means of subsistence.
Recent Examples on the Web
That includes modern breadbaskets that now enjoy some of the world’s best growing conditions such as the US, and subsistence farming communities that rely on small harvests of cassava.
—
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Harvests failed and water reserves dried up in a country where 70% of people rely on subsistence agriculture.
—Lungelo Ndhlovu, Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2025
Eventually, an industrialized country’s workers shift from subsistence agriculture toward higher-productivity sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, green technologies, and digital services.
—Zainab Usman, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025
Small businesses and subsistence agriculture make up much of the economy.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subsistence
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Doyle Rice, USA Today, 21 June 2025
Harvests failed and water reserves dried up in a country where 70% of people rely on subsistence agriculture.
—Lungelo Ndhlovu, Christian Science Monitor, 6 June 2025
Eventually, an industrialized country’s workers shift from subsistence agriculture toward higher-productivity sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, green technologies, and digital services.
—Zainab Usman, Foreign Affairs, 5 May 2025
Small businesses and subsistence agriculture make up much of the economy.
—Patricia Cohen, New York Times, 4 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for subsistence
Cite this Entry
“Subsistence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsistence. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subsistence
noun
sub·sis·tence
səb-ˈsis-tən(t)s
1
a
: real being : existence
b
: the condition of remaining in existence : continuation, persistence
2
a
: means of subsisting
b
: the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary to support life
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share