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

Herzog described Israel as a place where innovators flourish, and great ideas are shared with the world, contributing enormously across fields including health, energy, science, agriculture and food security. — Amelie Botbol, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026

At the event, attendees can learn more about food security, water efficiency, and sustainable gardening. — Ryan MacAsero, Mercury News, 30 July 2026

Trakas, Senior Community Relations Representative for Cleveland-Cliffs, supported OE’s efforts on a grant application for the Shared Table Food Pantry, helping strengthen food security initiatives for the individuals OE serves, a release said. — Post-Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 26 July 2026

Climate change having a disproportionate impact on food security in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries, according to a new analysis. — Jamie Hailstone, Forbes.com, 22 July 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