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

For Alabanza, learning that over 175 years ago a woman who looked like her, and made her livelihood in the same way, in the same place, was a jarring revelation. —Nancy Vienneau, Southern Living, 23 May 2026

And new methods of adaptation are eagerly being adopted as the effects of climate change are already affecting lives and livelihoods. —Justin Worland, Time, 22 May 2026

Unilever’s sustainability strategy is guided by a goal of making progress on four priority topics – climate, nature, plastics, and livelihoods – that link to each other. —Mindy Lubber, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

But the simplest path to Universal Basic Vitality is an oligarch tax on individuals like Musk and companies like Meta to lay the groundwork for economic livelihood in the AI age. —Alexander Heffner, Mercury News, 20 May 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