subsistence

[ suhb-sis-tuhns ]
/ səbˈsɪs təns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR subsistence ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the state or fact of subsisting.
the state or fact of existing.
the providing of sustenance or support.
means of supporting life; a living or livelihood.
the source from which food and other items necessary to exist are obtained.
Philosophy.
  1. existence, especially of an independent entity.
  2. the quality of having timeless or abstract existence.
  3. mode of existence or that by which a substance is individualized.

Origin of subsistence

1400–50; late Middle English < Late Latin subsistentia; see subsist, -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM subsistence

in·ter·sub·sist·ence, noun non·sub·sist·ence, noun pre·sub·sist·ence, noun self-sub·sist·ence, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH subsistence

subsidence subsistence

Words nearby subsistence

subsidiary ledger, subsidiary rights, subsidize, subsidy, subsist, subsistence, subsistence allowance, subsistence farming, subsistence level, subsistence wage, subsistent

Words related to subsistence

sustenance, ration, livelihood, aliment, money, legacy, upkeep, existence, wages, living, alimentation, wealth, support, gratuity, earnings, maintenance, capital, bread, affluence, competence

Example sentences from the Web for subsistence

British Dictionary definitions for subsistence

subsistence
/ (səbˈsɪstəns) /

noun

the means by which one maintains life
the act or condition of subsisting
a thing that has real existence
the state of being inherent
philosophy an inferior mode of being ascribed to the references of general terms which do not in fact exist See also nonbeing