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

The land sits less than one mile away from Jackie and Shadow’s nest, and this part of the lake is home to all of the fish that the eagles and their eaglets rely on for sustenance. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 11 June 2026

They had been hunted out of existence—shot for personal sustenance, shot for sale as food by market hunters, shot for their hides. —Literary Hub, 10 June 2026

This provides an immense source of sustenance for animals, similar to how hydrothermal vents create their own ecosystems on the ocean floor. —CBS News, 10 June 2026

The excellent D’Amico Kitchen restaurant and the blue-flamed fire in the lobby delivers warmth and sustenance in the coolest venue of one of the country’s coldest climes. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 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