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 reports says a new 211-mile road would allow open-pit mines, reduce subsistence access for 66 remote villages, further weaken permafrost, and require thousands of damaging crossings over streams, rivers and wetlands, which could endanger the state's second-largest caribou herd.
—
USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Because of the widespread use of PFAS, these chemicals are now present in water, soil and living organisms and can be found across almost every part of the planet, including Arctic glaciers, marine mammals, remote communities living on subsistence diets and in 98% of the American public.
—Kathryn Crawford, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024
With magical and social realism, Viera Junior tells the story of subsistence farmers in Brazil's poorest region.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
One thing clear to all refugee agencies and experts, except UNRWA, is that long-term subsistence in refugee camps is the least desirable alternative.
—John Bolton, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2024
After decades of a hard, step-by-agonising-step slog up the socio-economic ladder, they were unceremoniously thrown off it and back to the pit of subsistence wages.
—Yanis Varoufakis, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2024
In concrete terms, material security would free us to devote ourselves to more than subsistence.
—Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024
Debra Krol: There's seven Tribes, tribal governments, representing seven tribal cultures who have a cultural, and spiritual, and subsistence stake in the health of the Klamath River.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
The 6,500-member tribe's lands span the Klamath's final 44 miles to the Pacific Ocean, and the Yurok and other tribes that depend on the Klamath for subsistence and cultural activities have long advocated for the dams' removal and for ecological restoration.
—The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024
USA TODAY, 16 Apr. 2024
Because of the widespread use of PFAS, these chemicals are now present in water, soil and living organisms and can be found across almost every part of the planet, including Arctic glaciers, marine mammals, remote communities living on subsistence diets and in 98% of the American public.
—Kathryn Crawford, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2024
With magical and social realism, Viera Junior tells the story of subsistence farmers in Brazil's poorest region.
—Elizabeth Blair, NPR, 9 Apr. 2024
One thing clear to all refugee agencies and experts, except UNRWA, is that long-term subsistence in refugee camps is the least desirable alternative.
—John Bolton, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 1 Feb. 2024
After decades of a hard, step-by-agonising-step slog up the socio-economic ladder, they were unceremoniously thrown off it and back to the pit of subsistence wages.
—Yanis Varoufakis, Fortune, 11 Feb. 2024
In concrete terms, material security would free us to devote ourselves to more than subsistence.
—Elizabeth Barber, Harper's Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024
Debra Krol: There's seven Tribes, tribal governments, representing seven tribal cultures who have a cultural, and spiritual, and subsistence stake in the health of the Klamath River.
—Dana Taylor, USA TODAY, 23 Feb. 2024
The 6,500-member tribe's lands span the Klamath's final 44 miles to the Pacific Ocean, and the Yurok and other tribes that depend on the Klamath for subsistence and cultural activities have long advocated for the dams' removal and for ecological restoration.
—The Arizona Republic, 16 Feb. 2024
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 25 Apr. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share