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

The closure comes as food insecurity remains at record levels statewide. —Ray Campos, CBS News, 2 Apr. 2026

Approximately 4 million Malawians, 22% of the population, are already experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification. —Freddie Clayton, NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026

The club is an all-volunteer nonprofit that was founded in 1972 to address local food insecurity, promote the study of horticulture and landscape design and participate in civic beautification projects. —Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 29 Mar. 2026

Sure, food insecurity is common. —Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 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