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

Though the region’s trade reliance on Washington has rapidly diminished as China has become its biggest market, several nations still rely on the US for a large share of their exports, the loss of which would put millions of livelihoods at risk. —Claire Cameron, semafor.com, 28 Sep. 2025

Those journalists took stock of their communities, chronicling the recovery and talking to people whose lives and livelihoods were upended. —Phaedra Trethan, USA Today, 27 Sep. 2025

Their livelihoods depend on it. —Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

Over the years, as support for Palestine continues to grow across campuses nationwide, this strategy of Canary Mission, which remains active to this day, has negatively impacted the livelihoods and mental health of student organizers. —Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 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