1. having real being or existence; actually existing
Usage: formal; philosophical
2. providing the basic necessities for survival
Usage: formal

Examples

• The philosopher argued that abstract concepts are subsistent entities.
• Only subsistent realities can have causal power in the physical world.
• The farm provided subsistent crops for the local community.
• They lived on subsistent wages that barely covered their basic needs.
• The debate centered on whether mathematical objects are subsistent or merely conceptual.
• The village economy was based on subsistent agriculture and fishing.