food insecurity

noun

plural food insecurities

: the fact or an instance of being unable to consistently access or afford adequate food

The USDA defines food insecurity as a household's inability to provide enough food for each person to live an active, healthy lifestyle. Food insecurity can also occur when there is an abundance of processed, pre-packaged, calorie-dense foods, because these foods do not contain adequate nutrition.

—The Northeast Mississippi (Tupelo) Daily Journal

The federal government often allocates funds to help citizens facing food insecurity and other socio-economic hardships …

—Yssis Cano-Santiago

This past year has laid bare concerns about food insecurities in this country. The pandemic has led to shortages in the grocery store on essential items like toilet paper and meat.

—Amanda Radke

Food insecurity is linked to numerous situations, including poverty, job layoffs and living in food deserts …

—Lelia Durand

Examples of food insecurity in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Since the initiative began, more than 200,000 children have moved out of poverty, but food insecurity remains a persistent challenge. —Sky Beard, Sun Sentinel, 2 June 2026

The grant program will advance efforts to eliminate veteran homelessness, address food insecurity, and support economic stability and workforce preparedness, Wu’s office said. —Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 29 May 2026

Challenges like the high number of people displaced by armed conflict in the region and food insecurity are complicating efforts, Tedros said. —Jean-Yves Kamale, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026

Challenges like the high number of people displaced by armed conflict in the region and food insecurity are complicating efforts to stop the spread of the virus, Tedros said. —Mark Banchereau, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1950, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for food insecurity

• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• immaturity
• prematurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• security
• purity
• surety