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

Funds focused on agriculture, sustainable livelihoods, women leadership and development, military training and education, and programs to strengthen the private sector, along with, curiously, just over $11 million to support nonproliferation of nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. —Mara Kardas-Nelson, The Dial, 8 Apr. 2025

Bradley Whitford is risking his livelihood — and now with all the MAGA loons on the loose, his safety — to do the right thing. —Trish Deitch, Variety, 8 Apr. 2025

It's been a real roller-coaster of a week here at PCMag, as our livelihood depends on being able to judge the value of consumer electronics based on their prices. —K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 11 Apr. 2025

Hundreds of thousands of lives have been lost, and millions of livelihoods have vanished. —Daniel R. Depetris, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Apr. 2025

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