sustenance in WordNet English dictionary

1. a source of materials to nourish the body
   nutriment  nourishment  nutrition  sustenance  aliment  alimentation  victuals 
   
2. 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"
   support  keep  livelihood  living  bread and butter  sustenance 
   
3. the act of sustaining life by food or providing a means of subsistence
   "they were in want of sustenance"; "fishing was their main sustainment"
   sustenance  sustentation  sustainment  maintenance  upkeep