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

In addition to that, food insecurity is a real struggle for college students. — Mekialaya White, CBS News, 5 Aug. 2026

According to data compiled by the Greater Chicago Food Depository, 1 in 4 people in Cook County is facing food insecurity, which is defined as someone not knowing where their next meal will come from. — Zareen Syed, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

The economy is in tatters, and food insecurity is widespread. — Cameron Pugh, Christian Science Monitor, 1 Aug. 2026

Historically, the city has had a high poverty rate, with 35% of households reporting food insecurity in 2023. — Carina Heckert, The Conversation, 30 July 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