sustenance

noun

sus·​te·​nance ˈsə-stə-nən(t)s 

1

a

: means of support, maintenance, or subsistence : living

b

: food, provisions

also : nourishment

2

a

: the act of sustaining : the state of being sustained

b

: a supplying or being supplied with the necessaries of life

3

: something that gives support, endurance, or strength

Synonyms

• food
• nourishment

Examples of sustenance in a Sentence

Tree bark provides deer with sustenance in periods of drought.

The village depends on the sea for sustenance.

She draws spiritual sustenance from daily church attendance.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Weld Food Bank serves 1,700 people a day through an emergency food box program and delivers sustenance to 600 homebound seniors every month. —Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 16 Oct. 2025

Thus, even if a farmer primarily relied on corn for sustenance and/or trade, planting beans and squash alongside the maize increased the nutritive value of the same area. —JSTOR Daily, 14 Oct. 2025

Each restaurant feels distinct yet aligned, fostering the sense that food here isn’t just sustenance but part of the overall experience. —Ashlee Marie Preston, Forbes.com, 19 Sep. 2025

Where to Eat Meals on Le Grand Tour are far more than sustenance; their narrative experiences. —Jennifer Schwartz, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from sustenir

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sustenance

noun

sus·​te·​nance ˈsəs-tə-nən(t)s 

1

a

: means of support, maintenance, or existence

b

: nourishment sense 1

2

: the act of sustaining : the state of being sustained

especially : a supplying with the necessities of life

3

: something that gives support, help, or strength