Synonyms

breadwinner

American

[bred-win-er] / ˈbrɛdˌwɪn ər /

noun

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

breadwinner British

/ ˈbrɛdˌwɪnə /

noun

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

breadwinning noun

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.

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

If you’re the breadwinner and you die, you want to protect your spouse and young kids from financial hardship.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 13, 2026

She took on the full responsibility and recognition of breadwinner and returned to church.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023