livelihood

noun

live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d 

1

: means of support or subsistence (see subsistence sense 2)

The villagers' main livelihood is fishing.

2

obsolete : the quality or state of being lively

Examples of livelihood in a Sentence

Many fishermen believe that the new regulations threaten their livelihoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hundreds of discriminatory laws stripped Jews of citizenship, livelihoods, visibility and safety. —Bernard Cherkasov, Chicago Tribune, 27 Jan. 2026

People equate protecting endangered species with protecting their own livelihood. —Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The deal will likely be good news to TikTok’s 170 million American users, many of whom rely on the app for entertainment, news and, in some cases, even their livelihoods. —Cnn.com Wire Service, Mercury News, 23 Jan. 2026

While workers worldwide ponder how AI might affect their livelihoods – a topic on the agenda at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week – that question is no longer hypothetical in the translation industry. —Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 23 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English livelode course of life, from Old English līflād, from līf + lād course — more at lode

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for livelihood

• misunderstood
• unlikelihood
• adulthood
• babyhood
• brotherhood
• cottonwood
• fatherhood
• firewood
• fuelwood
• hardihood
• ironwood
• leatherwood

Kids Definition

livelihood

noun

live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d 

: living entry 2 sense 3