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

Those benefits focus on food security, economic mobility and reconnecting neighborhoods divided by the highway. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 7 Nov. 2026

Among veteran-family respondents who reported a difficult transition, 39% were struggling financially and 33% reported low or very low food security. — Gregory Bresiger, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Nov. 2026

Supporters said the amendment would help support struggling agriculture businesses, pointing to food security as a national security issue. — Miami Herald, 4 Nov. 2026

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has described the Black Sea as vital for global food security. — Tim Lister, CNN Money, 3 Nov. 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