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
Small businesses represent the dreams and hard work of Americans, empowering people to build their livelihoods and generating over $16.2 trillion in revenue in the US.
—
Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
What about harm reduction for residents who live in the middle of this chaos, or for merchants whose livelihoods are threatened by theft and drug activity that drives away customers?
Why not temporarily shift resources from other sectors, quadruple the outreach, and enforce existing laws?
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee pledged to bolster the government’s focus on people’s livelihoods in his annual policy address, including steps to reduce wait times for public housing.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024
Protect our western way of life, ensuring parents control education, property rights are protected, and farmers’ and ranchers’ livelihoods are protected.
—The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for livelihood 
Kate Vitasek, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
What about harm reduction for residents who live in the middle of this chaos, or for merchants whose livelihoods are threatened by theft and drug activity that drives away customers?
Why not temporarily shift resources from other sectors, quadruple the outreach, and enforce existing laws?
—Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2024
Hong Kong’s chief executive John Lee pledged to bolster the government’s focus on people’s livelihoods in his annual policy address, including steps to reduce wait times for public housing.
—Anniek Bao, CNBC, 15 Oct. 2024
Protect our western way of life, ensuring parents control education, property rights are protected, and farmers’ and ranchers’ livelihoods are protected.
—The Denver Post, 11 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for livelihood
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'livelihood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near livelihood
Cite this Entry
“Livelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livelihood. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
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livelihood
noun
live·li·hood
ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d
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