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
Most are mute of tone, ghostly and compelled by nothing but seeking sustenance.
—
William Earl, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025
Then a third factor—behavioral drive—compels you to go out and do your job, or find a mate, or gather sustenance.
—Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
But climate change is interfering with flowering and pollination schedules, disrupting bears’ traditional sources of food, forcing them to venture out to urban areas in search of sustenance, some experts have suggested.
—Junko Ogura, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
For sustenance, residents turn to cattle farming, hunting and fishing.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sustenance 
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William Earl, Variety, 2 Jan. 2025
Then a third factor—behavioral drive—compels you to go out and do your job, or find a mate, or gather sustenance.
—Marla Broadfoot, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024
But climate change is interfering with flowering and pollination schedules, disrupting bears’ traditional sources of food, forcing them to venture out to urban areas in search of sustenance, some experts have suggested.
—Junko Ogura, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
For sustenance, residents turn to cattle farming, hunting and fishing.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for sustenance
Dictionary Entries Near sustenance
Cite this Entry
“Sustenance.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustenance. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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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