Sustenance
noun /ˈsʌs.tɪ.nəns/ — Food and drink regarded as a source of strength; that which sustains life or effort.
Definition
Food and drink regarded as a source of strength; the maintaining of something or someone in life or activity. Sustenance is nourishment at its most fundamental — the minimum required to continue.
Beyond the definition
We are sustained by more than food. Books, music, conversation, love — these are sustenance too. And like food, you notice most what you need when it has been absent too long.
Origin & history
Latin: 'sustinere' (to hold up, to sustain). From 'sub' (under) + 'tenere' (to hold). Related to 'sustain', 'tenant', and 'tenure'.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The bread and salt were basic sustenance — not elegant, but sufficient.
She found sustenance in the long walk each morning — without it, the day felt impossible.
Poetry was his sustenance during the difficult years — not pleasure exactly, but what kept something alive.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Sustenance” when the meaning fits your context: Food and drink regarded as a source of strength; the maintaining of something or someone in life or activity. Sustenance is nourishment at its most fundamental — the minimum required to continue.
Synonyms
nourishment, food, provision, support
Antonyms
deprivation, starvation, want
Related words
Sustenance vs nutrition
Sustenance is the broad provision of food required to survive. Nutrition is the scientific study of how specific nutrients within that food affect the biological functions of the body.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Negotiating at Produce Market
Two adults negotiate at a small produce market stall with apples, scales, and a reusable bag.
The apples in the basket serve as literal sustenance—the basic food required to maintain life and activity, highlighting the fundamental importance of these goods in a market exchange.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Sustenance" mean?
Sustenance is noun meaning: Food and drink regarded as a source of strength; that which sustains life or effort.. Food and drink regarded as a source of strength; the maintaining of something or someone in life or activity. Sustenance is nourishment at its most fundamental — the minimum required to continue.
Where does the word "Sustenance" come from?
Latin: 'sustinere' (to hold up, to sustain). From 'sub' (under) + 'tenere' (to hold). Related to 'sustain', 'tenant', and 'tenure'.