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
And their agenda is a direct threat to and rapid assault on the rights, freedoms, livelihoods, and futures of the American people.
—
Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
That funding prevents development on sensitive natural environments like rainforests by paying nearby residents to seek livelihoods other than the logging and grazing that could unleash massive emissions from the carbon stored in the forests.
—Jake Bittle, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2025
And so are those professionals who worked for our papers, had dedicated their education and livelihoods to the study and practice of journalism, some of whom had just begun working for the paper last month.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
That decision, one affecting the careers and livelihoods of 2.3 million civilian federal employees, is a fraught one, employment attorneys and government watchdogs said.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for livelihood 
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Justin Gest, Newsweek, 11 Feb. 2025
That funding prevents development on sensitive natural environments like rainforests by paying nearby residents to seek livelihoods other than the logging and grazing that could unleash massive emissions from the carbon stored in the forests.
—Jake Bittle, WIRED, 8 Feb. 2025
And so are those professionals who worked for our papers, had dedicated their education and livelihoods to the study and practice of journalism, some of whom had just begun working for the paper last month.
—Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025
That decision, one affecting the careers and livelihoods of 2.3 million civilian federal employees, is a fraught one, employment attorneys and government watchdogs said.
—Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 6 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for livelihood
Dictionary Entries Near livelihood
Cite this Entry
“Livelihood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/livelihood. Accessed 16 Feb. 2025.
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livelihood
noun
live·li·hood
ˈlīv-lē-ˌhu̇d
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