breadwinner

American  

[bred-win-er] / ˈbrɛdˌwɪn ər /

noun

1. a person who earns a livelihood, especially one who also supports dependents.

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breadwinner British  

/ ˈbrɛdˌwɪnə /

noun

1. a person supporting a family with his or her earnings

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Other Word Forms

• breadwinning noun

Etymology

Origin of breadwinner

First recorded in 1810–20; bread + winner

Example Sentences

Burden’s marriage began to settle into the traditional gender roles of homemaker and breadwinner, despite the fact that it was Burden who had financed their lifestyle.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

As the breadwinner for her family, Modica said the stress of student debt never goes away.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

"As they are the main breadwinner of their families, they have a lot of influence," said Ganesh Gurung, chief of Nepal's Policy Research Institute.

From Barron's • Feb. 25, 2026

My wife is now the breadwinner and earns about $90,000 a year between salary and bonuses.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 24, 2025

He had a job he had to keep because he was the breadwinner in the household.

From "Ugly" by Robert Hoge