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Synonyms

breadwinner

American  
[bred-win-er] / ˈbrɛdˌwɪn ər /

noun

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


breadwinner British  
/ ˈbrɛdˌwɪnə /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of breadwinner

First recorded in 1810–20; bread + winner

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

During this time Sapna was the family's sole breadwinner.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

In modern America, high-income households are powered not by a single breadwinner, but by two sustained professional careers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

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

She yelled back, “Well, who’s the breadwinner in this house? Who has two jobs? Who deserves to relax at the end of the day?”

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau

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