sustenance
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.”
How to use sustenance
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNourishment or support needed to keep living — usually food, but sometimes emotional or financial support.
Word forms
sustenances plural
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
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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.