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

Synonyms

• aliment
• food
• nourishment
• pabulum

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

Culture care Since houseplants are confined to a smaller space in a container, their roots cannot spread wider or deeper for sustenance. —Betty Cahill, The Denver Post, 1 Mar. 2025

Instead, most pass holders found that their accommodations consisted of unfinished tents and drenched mattresses, with cheese sandwiches for sustenance. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2025

Forests that operate like communities, using their root systems to share intelligence and sustenance and survival tips. —Heidi Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 31 Jan. 2025

Grubhub: Super Bowl deals at 7-Eleven, Pizza Hut and Popeyes The delivery service has several deals for football fans in search of game-day sustenance. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from sustenir

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

sustenance

noun

sus·​te·​nance ˈsəs-tə-nən(t)s 

1

a

: means of support, maintenance, or existence

b

: nourishment sense 1

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