subsistence

noun

sub·​sis·​tence səb-ˈsi-stən(t)s How to pronounce subsistence (audio)
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 adjective

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
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.
In the African country of Malawi, for instance, the Innovation Lab has launched a promising project encouraging small-time farmers who mostly produce subsistence crops like cassava and cowpeas to diversify into soybeans. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 12 May 2025 The new study examines subsistence at all U.S. cities with populations above 600,000. Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 8 May 2025 Angie herself, the daughter of Zimbabwean subsistence farmers, was one of those girls. Marc Silver, NPR, 25 Apr. 2025 His plan is to acquire a 50-acre field next year, which would put him into a small circle of large-scale agricultural producers in Senegal, where 95 percent of farms are small, mostly subsistence holdings. Carmen Abd Ali, New York Times, 20 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for subsistence

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsistence was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Subsistence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsistence. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

subsistence

noun
sub·​sis·​tence səb-ˈsis-tən(t)s How to pronounce subsistence (audio)
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
subsistent adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on subsistence

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