Definition of "live" in English

verb

(intransitive) To be alive; to have life.
- He's not expected to live for more than a few months.
(intransitive) To have permanent residence somewhere, to inhabit, to reside.
- I live at 2a Acacia Avenue. At that time I'd been living in a camper for about six months.
(intransitive) To survive; to persevere; to continue.
(intransitive) To endure in memory; to escape oblivion.
- Her memory lives in that song.
(intransitive, hyperbolic) To cope.
- You'll just have to live with it! I can't live in a world without you.
(intransitive) To pass life in a specified manner.
- It is difficult to live in poverty. And they lived happily ever after.
(transitive) To spend, as one's life; to pass; to maintain; to continue in, constantly or habitually.
- To live an idle or a useful life.
(transitive) To act habitually in conformity with; to practice; to exemplify in one's way of life.
(transitive, obsolete) To live as; to live being.
(intransitive) To outlast danger; (of a ship or boat) to float.
- That rockslide trapped me in a cave, and I was trapped for three days, but I lived.
- No ship could live in such a storm.
(intransitive, followed by on, upon, or by) To maintain or support one's existence; to provide for oneself; to feed; to subsist.
- It is hard to live on the minimum wage. They lived on stale bread. Man shall not live by bread alone.
(intransitive, informal) To make the most of life; to experience a full, rich life.
- I'm sick of spending every day studying at home: I want to go out there and live!

adjective

(only used attributively) Having life; that is alive.
- The post office will not ship live animals.
Being in existence; actual.
- He is a live example of the consequences of excessive drinking.
Having active properties; being energized.
- Because the vaccinia virus is live, it is important to follow care instructions for the vaccination site.
Operational; in actual use rather than in testing etc.
Taken from a living animal.
- live feathers

(engineering) Imparting power; having motion.

the live spindle of a lathe
a live, or driving, axle

(sports) Still in active play.

a live ball

(card games) Of a card: not yet dealt or played.

(broadcasting) Being broadcast ("on the air"), as it happens.

The station presented a live news program every evening.
Are we live?

(of a performance or speech) In person.

This nightclub has a live band on weekends.

(entertainment, performing) Recorded from a performance in front of an audience.

a live album

Able to fire or explode (of firearms or explosives).

The air force practices dropping live bombs on the uninhabited island.

Of an environment where sound is recorded: having noticeable reverberation.

(circuitry) Electrically charged or energized, usually indicating that the item may cause electrocution if touched.

Use caution when working near live wires.

(poker) Being a bet which can be raised by the bettor, usually in reference to a blind or straddle.

Tommy's blind was live, so he was given the option to raise.

(film) Featuring humans; not animated, in the phrases “live actors” or “live action”.

Being in a state of ignition; burning.

a live coal; live embers

(obsolete) Vivid; bright.

Energetic, attentive, active.

a live man, or orator

Outstanding, top-notch, exhilarating.

(linguistics) Of a syllable in languages such as Thai and Burmese: resonating, not ending abruptly.

adverb

Of an event, as it happens; in real time; direct.
- The concert was broadcast live by radio.
Of making a performance or speech, in person.
- He'll be appearing live at the auditorium.