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

• aliment
• food
• nourishment
• pabulum

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

With the modern luxury of the supermarket, though, most of us today are less concerned with sustenance gardening. —Alex Testere, Saveur, 9 Oct. 2024

While nobody expects gourmet meals in economy, flyers do expect sustenance on a flight that lasts eight or nine hours. —Roger Dooley, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

For example, the ancient Wampanoag people relied on the ponds for sustenance. —Mary Forgione, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024

This was a home, this was sustenance and protection, on the floorboards, under the lights and with the full blast of love from several thousand people. —Rosanne Cash, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2024

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