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

Their lives matter, and the livelihoods of all Spirit workers must come before the profits of shareholders. —Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 2 May 2026

Workers whose livelihoods already hang by a thread are also bearing the brunt of the climate crisis, including floods, storms and heatwaves, CCC said. —Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 1 May 2026

With the grass gone, the cattle couldn't graze, and Mike and Kayla were in real danger of losing their livelihoods. —Steve Hartman, CBS News, 1 May 2026

Workers put their bodies, livelihoods and lives on the line to oppose employers and governments that exploited physical laborers through inhumane working conditions. —Chicago Tribune, 30 Apr. 2026

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