subsistence

noun

sub·​sis·​tence səb-ˈsi-stən(t)s How to pronounce subsistence (audio)
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
subsistent adjective

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many were abandoning their posts for basic lack of subsistence income. Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Dec. 2024 Born into a family of subsistence farmers in the tiny village of Arughat, Nepal, Purnima Shrestha thought that the mountains around her were out of reach. Owen Clarke, Outside Online, 3 Dec. 2024 These flinty souls remain a study in principled self-reliance and human ingenuity, having supported themselves and their families for years through subsistence farming and sundry side hustles: ceramics, teaching, salmon fishing, instrument making, firewood hawking, and weed growing. Christine Ro, Longreads, 17 Sep. 2024 The nadir of female labor force participation represents the dramatic opportunity cost created by technological development rendering a woman’s earning potential outside the home much higher than the costs saved by two to three hours of subsistence housework. Tiana Lowe Doescher, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for subsistence 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Late Latin subsistentia, from subsistent-, subsistens, present participle of subsistere

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of subsistence was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near subsistence

Cite this Entry

“Subsistence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsistence. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

subsistence

noun
sub·​sis·​tence səb-ˈsis-tən(t)s How to pronounce subsistence (audio)
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
subsistent adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on subsistence

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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