breadwinner
noun
bread·win·ner
ˈbred-ˌwi-nər 
plural breadwinners
1
: a member of a family whose wages supply the family's principal or only means of support
the main/primary/sole breadwinner in the family
… many more households have two breadwinners, making it unlikely that there will be someone home all afternoon to cook.—
Mark Bittman
Mark Bittman2
: a means (such as a tool, craft, or activity) of livelihood : a way of earning income
Crop diversity kept the overall value of Montana agriculture strong even as wheat, the state agriculture's breadwinner, faltered.—Tom Lutey
Tom LuteyCatfish farming has become the breadwinner industry for many families in west Alabama …—Robert Dewitt and Benita D. Newton
Robert Dewitt and Benita D. NewtonExamples of breadwinner in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One working mother opened up about her life as the breadwinner with a husband who says home.
—Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 5 Nov. 2024
This meant men and women were expected to adhere to strict gender roles, with an emphasis on breadwinner dads and stay-at-home moms, to set a strong moral example for their children.
—Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024
Despite her success as a business owner, Adler still identifies her husband as the breadwinner and sole contributor to their household income.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
Growing up in a middle-class family, with my dad as the primary breadwinner, we were taught to be mindful of money.
—R29 Team, refinery29.com, 14 Oct. 2024
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Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 5 Nov. 2024
This meant men and women were expected to adhere to strict gender roles, with an emphasis on breadwinner dads and stay-at-home moms, to set a strong moral example for their children.
—Elizabeth Friend, Longreads, 29 Oct. 2024
Despite her success as a business owner, Adler still identifies her husband as the breadwinner and sole contributor to their household income.
—Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024
Growing up in a middle-class family, with my dad as the primary breadwinner, we were taught to be mindful of money.
—R29 Team, refinery29.com, 14 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for breadwinner
Dictionary Entries Near breadwinner
Cite this Entry
“Breadwinner.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/breadwinner. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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breadwinner
noun
bread·win·ner
ˈbred-ˌwin-ər
: a person whose wages provide support for his or her family
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