1. a means of securing the necessities of life; one’s work or occupation that provides income

Examples

• Farming has been his family’s livelihood for generations.
• The factory closure threatened the livelihood of hundreds of workers.
• She depends on her small business for her livelihood.
• Many artists struggle to make a livelihood from their creative work.
• The fishing industry provides a livelihood for coastal communities.
• He lost his livelihood when the company went bankrupt.