lived; living; lives
1
: to be alive : have the life of an animal or plant
one of the greatest writers who ever lived
2
: to continue alive
lived to a ripe and vigorous old age
4
a
: to occupy a home : dwell
living in a shabby room
They had always lived in the country.
b
: to be located or stored
the silverware lives here
5
: to attain eternal life
though he die, yet shall he live—
John 11:25 (Revised Standard Version)
John 11:25 (Revised Standard Version)6
: to conduct or pass one's life
lived only for his work
7
: to remain in human memory or record
… the past lives in us all …—W. R. Inge
W. R. Inge8
: to have a life rich in experience
"You haven't really lived until you've worn cashmere socks. …"—Carson Kressley, quoted in Cosmopolitan
Carson Kressley, quoted in Cosmopolitan9
: cohabit
She lived with that actor for over a year.
1
: to pass through or spend the duration of
lived their lives alone
3
: to exhibit vigor, gusto, or enthusiasm in
lived life to the fullest
4
a
: to experience firsthand
living a dream
b
: to be thoroughly absorbed by or involved with
she lives her work
1
2
: exerting force or containing energy: such as
b
: connected to electric power
c
: charged with explosives and containing shot or a bullet
live ammunition
also
: armed but not exploded
a live bomb
d
: imparting or driven by power
a live axle
e
: being in operation
a live microphone
3
: abounding with life : vivid
4
: being in a pure native state
5
: of bright vivid color
6
: of continuing or current interest
live issues
7
a
: not yet printed from or plated
live type
b
: not yet typeset
live copy
8
a
: of or involving a presentation (such as a play or concert) in which both the performers and an audience are physically present
a live record album
a nightclub with live entertainment
performed before a live audience
b
: of or relating to an event that is broadcast or reported as it is occurring
a live webcast
live sports/news coverage
posted live updates
The speech was broadcast on live television.
see also live stream entry 1, live streaming entry 2
c
: involving or relating to communication (as over the Internet) that occurs in real time
offers 24-7 live support
a live chat session
9
: being in play
a live ball
: at the actual time of occurrence : during, from, or at a live production
the program was broadcast live
Synonyms
Examples of live in a Sentence
Verb
We learned about the people who lived during colonial times.
I wonder what it was like to live then.
She's one of the greatest writers who ever lived.
It was one of the largest animals that has ever lived.
He lived to the age of 92.
He's very sick and he may not live much longer.
I hope I live to see the day when you admit you've been wrong about me!
I'll remember that day for as long as I live.
He lives next door to his parents.
We lived in the city.
Adjective
They object to the use of live animals in scientific experiments.
a nightclub with live music
She was nervous about being interviewed on live radio.
The network is providing live coverage of the debate.
Use caution when you are working near live electrical wires.
Adverb
The program was shown live.
We are broadcasting live from downtown.
Here he is—live in concert!
The album was recorded live.
Recent Examples on the Web
Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
The oldest living person in the world is Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who recently celebrated her 116th birthday.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2024
Each performance includes gala reception with light bites, live music, silent auction.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2024
Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to steam live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for live 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Verb
Hambrick, 45, used to live at the residence where the women were found dead, the Dispatch reported.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 15 Dec. 2024
The oldest living person in the world is Japan’s Tomiko Itooka, who recently celebrated her 116th birthday.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 15 Dec. 2024
Adjective
There’s always live music to add to the festive vibe, too.
Check out all the murals.
—Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 15 Dec. 2024
Each performance includes gala reception with light bites, live music, silent auction.
—Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2024
Adverb
According to Paramount Global, that’s up 4% from the Season 5A finale, which lassoed 10.3M live + same-day viewers.
—Katie Campione, Deadline, 17 Dec. 2024
Paramount+ Essential subscribers will not have the option to steam live, but will have access to on-demand the day after the special airs.
—Paul Grein, Billboard, 16 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for live
Dictionary Entries Near live
Cite this Entry
“Live.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
live
1 of 2 verb
lived; living
1
a
: to be alive
b
: to continue alive
2
: to keep oneself alive : subsist
lived on berries the whole time
courtiers living off the king
3
: to have a home : dwell
lives next door
4
: to pass one's life
live peacefully
5
: to show great enthusiasm or excitement in
lived life to the fullest
6
: to experience firsthand
living a dream
live
2 of 2 adjective2
a
: burning usually without flame
live coals
b
: carrying an electric current
a live wire
c
: not exploded
a live bomb
3
: of present or continuing interest
a live issue
4
a
: being present at the performance
a live audience
b
: broadcast at the time of production
a live television program
5
: being in play
a live ball
Medical Definition
live
1 of 2 intransitive verb
lived; living
1
: to be alive : have the life of an animal or plant
2
: to continue alive
lived for 50 years
3
: to maintain oneself
lives on a vegetarian diet
4
: to conduct or pass one's life
a parasite living in the body of a host
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share