noun
sustenance
SUHS-tuh-nuhns
Sustenance (noun) means Food, drink, or support that keeps a person or thing alive and functioning. Example: “They had little sustenance left after days of hiking.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- sustenances
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They had little _____ left after days of hiking.
Etymology
From Old French sustenance, from sustenir, "to sustain," ultimately from Latin sustinere.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for sustenance
See all rhymes for sustenance →Frequently asked questions
What does “sustenance” mean?
The word “sustenance” means food, drink, or support that keeps a person or thing alive and functioning. In plain terms, nourishment or support needed to keep living — usually food, but sometimes emotional or financial support.
How do you pronounce “sustenance”?
“Sustenance” is pronounced SUHS-tuh-nuhns (/ˈsʌs.tə.nəns/ in IPA).
How do you use “sustenance” in a sentence?
Here is “sustenance” used in a sentence: “They had little sustenance left after days of hiking.”
What part of speech is “sustenance”?
“Sustenance” is a noun.
Where does the word “sustenance” come from?
The word “sustenance” comes from Latin. From Old French sustenance, from sustenir, "to sustain," ultimately from Latin sustinere.
