food desert

noun

: an area where little fresh produce is available for sale
Despite the common perception of food deserts as city neighborhoods where fast food chains and convenience stores dominate, many of Kansas' food deserts are in rural areas. In some, residents have to drive 20 miles or farther to find a source of healthful food.Megan Hart

Examples of food desert 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.
Unionized workers have expressed concerns about potential store closures and pharmacy and food deserts. Francisco Velasquez, Quartz, 5 Sep. 2024 North Nashville, specifically within 37208, is a food desert, an area lacking access to healthy, affordable food options. Cassandra Stephenson, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 Finally, addressing social ills that lead to smoking, such as poverty, homelessness, food deserts and inadequate educational opportunities are more likely to help the health disparities in the Black community than a menthol ban ever could. Sonia Y.w. Pruitt, Baltimore Sun, 21 Mar. 2024 Of the six, Lakeland is the only neighborhood that is not a food desert. Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for food desert 

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of food desert was in 1988

Dictionary Entries Near food desert

Cite this Entry

“Food desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20desert. Accessed 14 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!