subsistence

noun

sub·​sis·​tence səb-ˈsi-stən(t)s 

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

səb-ˈsi-stənt 

adjective

Synonyms

• actuality
• corporality
• corporeality
• existence
• reality
• thingness

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

For instance, states may be forced to lower pollution thresholds in some waters to account for the fact that tribal members who practice subsistence lifestyles consume fish at higher rates than the general public. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2024

At the suggestion of a friend whose job involved finding housing for unsheltered people, Hernandez got in touch with the Los Angeles office of LIFT, a national nonprofit whose approach to elevating families out of low-income subsistence cycles looks and feels different. —Mark Kreidler, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024

As of last November, 40.4 million people in China were covered by subsistence allowances. —Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 26 Sep. 2024

Rwanda is a very poor country, heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture and foreign aid, which is pouring millions of dollars into some of the world’s richest clubs. —Adrian Blomfield, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2024

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)

Phrases Containing subsistence

• subsistence farming
• subsistence level

Kids Definition

subsistence

noun

sub·​sis·​tence səb-ˈsis-tən(t)s 

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

-tənt 

adjective