livelihood

noun

live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce livelihood (audio)
Synonyms of livelihoodnext
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
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.
Fund, established after her 2024 Best New Artist Grammy acceptance speech called attention to healthcare access and sustainable livelihoods for artists. — Spin Staff, SPIN, 9 Oct. 2026 India's sugar industry is vital for agriculture, industry, and rural livelihoods, supporting nearly 5 crore farmers and 5 lakh factory workers. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026 Aside from existential concerns about their careers and livelihoods, trying out the tools can be daunting. — Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2026 Elsewhere in the film, Quirt must reckon with the legacy of brutality left to him by his father, and by his own livelihood in recent years. — Michael Phillips, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for livelihood

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of livelihood was in the 14th century

Rhymes for livelihood

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Browse Nearby Words

livelihead
livelihood
livelily
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Cite this Entry

“Livelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livelihood. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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