subsistence
noun
sub·sis·tence
səb-ˈsi-stən(t)s 
1
a(1)
: real being : existence
(2)
: the condition of remaining in existence : continuation, persistence
b
: an essential characteristic quality of something that exists
c
: the character possessed by whatever is logically conceivable
2
: means of subsisting: such as
a
: the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary to support life
b
: a source or means of obtaining the necessities of life
Synonyms
Examples of subsistence in a Sentence
They depended on hunting and fishing for subsistence.
Farming is their means of subsistence.
Recent Examples on the Web
The board did also take the step of limiting the subsistence harvest to 15 caribou per person per year with only one cow allowed (there was previously no limit on cow or calf caribou).
—
Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 10 July 2024
Fifty-six percent of the statewide subsistence harvest is made up of fish.
—Paige Vega, Vox, 3 July 2024
Two-thirds of Timorese survive by subsistence farming and the 2023 Global Hunger Index ranked the nation 112th out of 125 worldwide.
—Charlie Campbell / Dili, Timor-Leste, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024
Many Molokai residents follow Indigenous subsistence practices – hunting, fishing, gathering – which supply about a third of the food.
—Jack Kiyonaga, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subsistence 
Tyler Freel, Outdoor Life, 10 July 2024
Fifty-six percent of the statewide subsistence harvest is made up of fish.
—Paige Vega, Vox, 3 July 2024
Two-thirds of Timorese survive by subsistence farming and the 2023 Global Hunger Index ranked the nation 112th out of 125 worldwide.
—Charlie Campbell / Dili, Timor-Leste, TIME, 4 Sep. 2024
Many Molokai residents follow Indigenous subsistence practices – hunting, fishing, gathering – which supply about a third of the food.
—Jack Kiyonaga, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for subsistence
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'subsistence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near subsistence
Cite this Entry
“Subsistence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/subsistence. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
subsistence
noun
sub·sis·tence
səb-ˈsis-tən(t)s
1
a
: real being : existence
b
: the condition of remaining in existence : continuation, persistence
2
a
: means of subsisting
b
: the minimum (as of food and shelter) necessary to support life
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