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

The human consumption of animals for sustenance is a harsh reality that most people come to grips with at an early age. —Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026

Here, Kruger plays the neighboring farmer to a 12-year-old boy (newcomer Jasper Ole Billerbeck, found in an open casting call) who forages and hunts for ingredients for sustenance. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 17 Mar. 2026

In those days, Thomas said, his family was living in poverty, relying on a soup line for sustenance. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 6 Mar. 2026

The meal is regrettable and adds only a little sustenance at best. —Jake Angelo, Fortune, 1 Mar. 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