poverty line

noun

: a level of personal or family income below which one is classified as poor according to governmental standards

called also poverty level

Examples of poverty line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
By the numbers: The closure is expected to affect food and pharmacy access for 34,000 residents, including 4,000 in the Western Addition with incomes 100% below the federal poverty line, according to the city's Food and Security Task Force. Nadia Lopez, Axios, 4 Feb. 2025 In Mayotte, 77% of its people live below the French poverty line. Ken Silverstein, Orlando Sentinel, 13 Jan. 2025 In 2023, one in four New York City children lived at or below the federal poverty line, according to the Center for N.Y.C. Affairs report. Stefanos Chen, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025 That’s roughly 300% above the federal poverty line – not poor, but on the edge of middle class for a two-person household. Dan Horn, The Courier-Journal, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for poverty line 

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poverty line was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near poverty line

Cite this Entry

“Poverty line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty%20line. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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