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

Such a commission would become another bureaucracy that accomplishes little beyond self-sustenance. — Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

The project’s goals include giving long-term sustenance to successful but fleeting smaller efforts. — ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Eating and drinking Situated next to the pool and providing sustenance from early morning to late at night is the Son Xotano restaurant. — Jonathan Samuels, TheWeek, 17 July 2026

To provide that sustenance that gives people life and well-being. — Arkansas Online, 10 July 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