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 of sustenance

• 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

Reducing bureaucracy and streamlining industry fees are key pillars of achieving sustenance and making Nigerian producers competitive. —Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 9 Feb. 2026

So people are getting more and more frustrated— My concern is with the sustenance of democracy and democratic institutions. —David Remnick, New Yorker, 6 Feb. 2026

The latest technology was his sustenance. —Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 6 Feb. 2026

In doing so the mussels eliminate the base of the lake food chain, the sustenance for young and small fish. —Theodore J. Karamanski, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026

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