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
Example Sentences
Many fishermen believe that the new regulations threaten their livelihoods.
Recent Examples on the Web That actor’s livelihood hinges on a fair answer to these questions. 
Bob Verini, Variety, 15 Sep. 2022 Operating over a total area of 900 feddans, the sustainable agriculture investments and livelihood project (SAIL) was established in 2016 by the MALR with funding from the international fund for agricultural development (IFAD). Egab, Quartz, 15 Sep. 2022 Even minor changes to the climate can have an outsize effect on overall weather and livelihood on the state. Arjun Thakkar, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2022 What spotted lanternflies do instead is suck the life out of many species of trees and plants, including those that people rely on for food and livelihood, such as grapes, apples and hops. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 With support from the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Mustapha also opened a center that trains widows in livelihood skills. Innocent Eteng, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2022 Cassey is an artist who has made her culture her livelihood. Jenna Kunze, ELLE, 28 July 2022 That underscores the importance of Instagram’s popularity to Meta’s livelihood, especially as Facebook’s user numbers have been stagnating. Laura Forman, WSJ, 27 July 2022 In a matter of hours, Gurung’s family’s entire livelihood was gone. Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 27 July 2022 See More
Bob Verini, Variety, 15 Sep. 2022 Operating over a total area of 900 feddans, the sustainable agriculture investments and livelihood project (SAIL) was established in 2016 by the MALR with funding from the international fund for agricultural development (IFAD). Egab, Quartz, 15 Sep. 2022 Even minor changes to the climate can have an outsize effect on overall weather and livelihood on the state. Arjun Thakkar, Freep.com, 2 Sep. 2022 What spotted lanternflies do instead is suck the life out of many species of trees and plants, including those that people rely on for food and livelihood, such as grapes, apples and hops. Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 26 Aug. 2022 With support from the International Committee of the Red Cross, Mr. Mustapha also opened a center that trains widows in livelihood skills. Innocent Eteng, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 July 2022 Cassey is an artist who has made her culture her livelihood. Jenna Kunze, ELLE, 28 July 2022 That underscores the importance of Instagram’s popularity to Meta’s livelihood, especially as Facebook’s user numbers have been stagnating. Laura Forman, WSJ, 27 July 2022 In a matter of hours, Gurung’s family’s entire livelihood was gone. Ben Ayers, Outside Online, 27 July 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
livelihood
noun
live·li·hood ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d
: living entry 2 sense 3
livelihood
noun
as in living
a way of earning money in order to live Many fishermen believe that the new regulations threaten their livelihoods. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- living
- employment
- business
- trade
- enterprise
- profession
- job
- occupation
- work
- vocation
- game
- field
- metier
- racket
- mission
- situation
- lifework
- métier
- calling
- lay
- art
- engagement
- handicraft
- line
- assignment
- position
- gig
- craft
- office
- call
- duty
- function
- task
- place
- handcraft
- load
- post
- berth
- appointment
- workload
- billet
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- pursuit
- avocation
- hobby