Definition of "breadwinner" [bread•win•ner]

• One whose earnings are the primary source of support for one's dependents. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Unfortunately, the breadwinner is the power holder and humans are not all always fair and responsible with their power."
• "The emergence of this cohort of high-earning young women and the increasing number of female breadwinners are transforming gender relationships, upending patterns of matchmaking, marriage and motherhood, creating a new conflict between the sexes, redefining the word "breadwinner" and inspiring tracts on the leveling of men's roles."
• "For example, she may be the main breadwinner, he does the housework, or he handles the money and investments."