sustenance
noun
sus·te·nance
ˈsə-stə-nən(t)s 
1
a
: means of support, maintenance, or subsistence : living
b
: food, provisions
also
: nourishment
2
a
: the act of sustaining : the state of being sustained
b
: a supplying or being supplied with the necessaries of life
3
: something that gives support, endurance, or strength
Examples of sustenance in a Sentence
Tree bark provides deer with sustenance in periods of drought.
The village depends on the sea for sustenance.
She draws spiritual sustenance from daily church attendance.
Recent Examples on the Web
Pickled foods often accompanied bread during blessings, emphasizing their role as both sustenance and spiritual connection.
—
Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Either way, sustenance should be secured before or after at the nearby Lochinver Larder, which sells award-winning pies in every flavor, from chicken curry to cherry.
—Rosie Conroy, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Dehydration dogs their journey, and local ranchers have found their homes burglarized by travelers in search of sustenance.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The human consumption of animals for sustenance is a harsh reality that most people come to grips with at an early age.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sustenance
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Literary Hub, 31 Mar. 2026
Either way, sustenance should be secured before or after at the nearby Lochinver Larder, which sells award-winning pies in every flavor, from chicken curry to cherry.
—Rosie Conroy, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Mar. 2026
Dehydration dogs their journey, and local ranchers have found their homes burglarized by travelers in search of sustenance.
—Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 26 Mar. 2026
The human consumption of animals for sustenance is a harsh reality that most people come to grips with at an early age.
—Torrey Snow, Baltimore Sun, 18 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sustenance
Cite this Entry
“Sustenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustenance. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sustenance
noun
sus·te·nance
ˈsəs-tə-nən(t)s
1
a
: means of support, maintenance, or existence
2
: the act of sustaining : the state of being sustained
especially
: a supplying with the necessities of life
3
: something that gives support, help, or strength
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