A person who earns the main income for their family or household.
Compound of 'bread' (food, sustenance) and 'winner' (one who gains or earns). Emerged in the 19th century when 'bread' was used metaphorically for income or livelihood, combining with 'winner' to describe the primary earner.
The word 'breadwinner' reveals how deeply food security was tied to economic survival—bread wasn't just food, it was literally how families measured survival and worth. Today it's mostly a historical term since many households now have multiple earners, showing how language tracks changing family structures.
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