the poverty line
noun
: the level of income that makes it possible for a person to pay for basic food, clothing, and shelter
families living below/at the poverty line
Examples of the poverty line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Before Meta came to town, the biggest claim to fame of Richland Parish, a community where a quarter of residents live under the poverty line, was arguably that country music artist Tim McGraw was born and raised there.
—
Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
These benefits lift people across the country above the poverty line — a testament to her enduring legacy.
—Amanda Hatch, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Data from the Census Bureau and Good Reason Houston has shown that one in five families in Houston live under the poverty line, and only one in five high school graduates earned a living wage six years after graduation.
—Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
The absolute number of dollars effectively paid in taxes by those below the poverty line may not be high, but each dollar going to tariffs is one eating into basic food, clothing and shelter.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the poverty line
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Sharon Goldman, Fortune, 26 Mar. 2026
These benefits lift people across the country above the poverty line — a testament to her enduring legacy.
—Amanda Hatch, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Data from the Census Bureau and Good Reason Houston has shown that one in five families in Houston live under the poverty line, and only one in five high school graduates earned a living wage six years after graduation.
—Ashley Soebroto, Houston Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
The absolute number of dollars effectively paid in taxes by those below the poverty line may not be high, but each dollar going to tariffs is one eating into basic food, clothing and shelter.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for the poverty line
Cite this Entry
“The poverty line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20poverty%20line. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
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