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.
Immigrant truck drivers have sued the California Department of Motor Vehicles for terminating the commercial driver's licenses of thousands of drivers, claiming that the decision violated their rights and threatened their livelihood. Nilesh Christopher Los Angeles Times, Arkansas Online, 27 Dec. 2025 All the women who spoke to Fortune about their relationships with chatbots for this story asked to be identified under pseudonyms out of concern that admitting to a relationship with an AI model carries a social stigma that could have negative repercussions for their livelihoods. Beatrice Nolan, Fortune, 26 Dec. 2025 This is the result of the DNP's dedication to safeguarding Thailand's wetlands and community members' livelihoods. Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025 In the meantime, the collapse of tourism has upended the livelihood of many. Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 23 Dec. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Livelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livelihood. Accessed 31 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

livelihood

noun
live·​li·​hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d How to pronounce livelihood (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on livelihood

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