sustentation

[ suhs-tuhn-tey-shuhn ]

noun

1. maintenance in being or activity; the sustaining of life through vital processes.
2. provision with means or funds for upkeep.
3. means of sustaining life; sustenance.

sustentation

/ ˌsʌstɛnˈteɪʃən /

noun

1. a less common word for sustenance

Other Words From

• susten·tation·al adjective
• sus·ten·ta·tive [suhs, -t, uh, n-tey-tiv, s, uh, -, sten, -t, uh, -tiv], adjective
• self-susten·tation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of sustentation¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin sustentātiōn- (stem of sustentātiō ) an upholding, equivalent to sustentāt ( us ) (past participle of sustentāre, frequentative of sustinēre to sustain ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of sustentation¹

C14: from Latin sustentātio, from sustentāre, frequentative of sustinēre to sustain

Example Sentences

Interest as connected with the sustentation of a certain mode of social life.

From Project Gutenberg

For this civilisation makes no provision excepting temporary sustentation in hospitals, workhouses or prisons.

From Project Gutenberg

And so all things appertaining to the sustentation of man, in triple and more exceeded their accustomed prices.

From Project Gutenberg

There are two funds: one subscribed expressly for the building of churches, the other limited to the "sustentation" of incumbents.

From Project Gutenberg

The prolonged, delicate, exquisite sustentation of the pictorial tone seems to me a marvel of ingenuity and fancy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• care
• conservancy
• conservation
• safeguarding
• safety
• security
• storage