food security

noun

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

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines "food security" as access at all times by all people within a household to enough food for an active, healthy life. "Food insecurity," on the other hand, occurs when a household's consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.

—Elyse Miller

… the percentage of households with very low food security jumped to 5.7 percent last year …

—Tony Pugh

Examples of food security in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its critical minerals, abundant renewable energy, and strong agricultural sector are exactly what the world needs for food security, advanced technology, and the energy transition. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

The prolonged war in Ukraine has also snarled global wheat trade through the Black Sea, compounding economic effects and undermining food security in vulnerable countries. — Anniek Bao, CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

El Nino's impact will be felt differently across regions, but it is expected to jeopardize food security worldwide. — Edna Tarigan, Arkansas Online, 23 Sep. 2026

My father Thomas, who was president of the Potato Growers of Idaho, taught me early that America’s food security is not a slogan. — April McClain Delaney, Washington Post, 20 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for food security

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