noun
sustenance
SUHS-tuh-nuhns
noun
1
Food, drink, or support that keeps a person or thing alive and functioning.
"They had little sustenance left after days of hiking."
"The charity provides sustenance to families in crisis."
How to Use Sustenance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNourishment or support needed to keep living — usually food, but sometimes emotional or financial support.
Common pairings
daily sustenance
provide sustenance
a source of sustenance
Word Forms
sustenances plural
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They had little _____ left after days of hiking.
Etymology
From Old French sustenance, from sustenir, "to sustain," ultimately from Latin sustinere.