SUSTENANCE

sustenance, sustentation, sustainment, maintenance, upkeep

(noun) the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence; “they were in want of sustenance”; “fishing was their main sustainment”

nutriment, nourishment, nutrition, sustenance, aliment, alimentation, victuals

(noun) a source of materials to nourish the body

support, keep, livelihood, living, bread and butter, sustenance

(noun) the financial means whereby one lives; “each child was expected to pay for their keep”; “he applied to the state for support”; “he could no longer earn his own livelihood”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

sustenance (countable and uncountable, plural sustenances)

Something that provides support or nourishment.

Source: Wiktionary

Sus"te*nance, n. Etym: [OF. sustenance, sostenance, soustenance: cf. L. sustenentia endurance. See Sustain.]

1. The act of sustaining; support; maintenance; subsistence; as, the sustenance of the body; the sustenance of life.

2. That which supports life; food; victuals; provisions; means of living; as, the city has ample sustenance. "A man of little sustenance." Chaucer. For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. Milton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition