subsistence
noun
sub·sis·tence
səb-ˈsi-stən(t)s 
1
a(1)
: real being : existence
(2)
: the condition of remaining in existence : continuation, persistence
b
: an essential characteristic quality of something that exists
c
: the character possessed by whatever is logically conceivable
2
: means of subsisting: such as
a
: the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary to support life
b
: a source or means of obtaining the necessities of life
Synonyms
Examples of subsistence in a Sentence
They depended on hunting and fishing for subsistence.
Farming is their means of subsistence.
Recent Examples on the Web
The filling of cheese and bread crumbs also reflects an area in which sheep rearing was the main form of subsistence for centuries.
—
Rachel Roddy, New York Times, 13 May 2024
Bettmann via Getty Images These were significant reversals in the same ancient categories – subsistence, settlement and social organization – that led to the rise of infectious diseases in the first place.
—Ron Barrett, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2024
His work, which often centers on freshwater issues, climate change and subsistence, has appeared in Circle of Blue, Sierra magazine, Discover magazine and Alaska Sporting Journal.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
For decades, the descendants of those Sangre de Cristo Land Grant families relied on it for subsistence hunting and firewood for heat during the valley’s long, cold winters.
—Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 5 May 2024
The reports says a new 211-mile road would allow open-pit mines, reduce subsistence access for 66 remote villages, further weaken permafrost, and require thousands of damaging crossings over streams, rivers and wetlands, which could endanger the state's second-largest caribou herd.
—USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Because of the widespread use of PFAS, these chemicals are now present in water, soil and living organisms and can be found across almost every part of the planet, including Arctic glaciers, marine mammals, remote communities living on subsistence diets and in 98% of the American public.
—Kathryn Crawford, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024
With magical and social realism, Viera Junior tells the story of subsistence farmers in Brazil's poorest region.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
One thing clear to all refugee agencies and experts, except UNRWA, is that long-term subsistence in refugee camps is the least desirable alternative.
—John Bolton, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2024
Rachel Roddy, New York Times, 13 May 2024
Bettmann via Getty Images These were significant reversals in the same ancient categories – subsistence, settlement and social organization – that led to the rise of infectious diseases in the first place.
—Ron Barrett, Discover Magazine, 11 May 2024
His work, which often centers on freshwater issues, climate change and subsistence, has appeared in Circle of Blue, Sierra magazine, Discover magazine and Alaska Sporting Journal.
—Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 May 2024
For decades, the descendants of those Sangre de Cristo Land Grant families relied on it for subsistence hunting and firewood for heat during the valley’s long, cold winters.
—Elise Schmelzer, The Denver Post, 5 May 2024
The reports says a new 211-mile road would allow open-pit mines, reduce subsistence access for 66 remote villages, further weaken permafrost, and require thousands of damaging crossings over streams, rivers and wetlands, which could endanger the state's second-largest caribou herd.
—USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Because of the widespread use of PFAS, these chemicals are now present in water, soil and living organisms and can be found across almost every part of the planet, including Arctic glaciers, marine mammals, remote communities living on subsistence diets and in 98% of the American public.
—Kathryn Crawford, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024
With magical and social realism, Viera Junior tells the story of subsistence farmers in Brazil's poorest region.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
One thing clear to all refugee agencies and experts, except UNRWA, is that long-term subsistence in refugee camps is the least desirable alternative.
—John Bolton, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subsistence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near subsistence
Cite this Entry
“Subsistence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsistence. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subsistence
noun
sub·sis·tence
səb-ˈsis-tən(t)s
1
a
: real being : existence
b
: the condition of remaining in existence : continuation, persistence
2
a
: means of subsisting
b
: the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary to support life
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