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

Rather than treating the subject purely as an environmental story, the filmmakers tie it to livelihoods, food security, migration, development, weaponization, corporatization and the future of ecosystems and communities. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

For low-income households that depend on daily wages, even a short interruption to work can have serious consequences for household wellbeing and food security. — Ali Asif Shawon, NPR, 9 Sep. 2026

Around family tables, recipients experience the relief of food security and the dignity of being seen and supported by their community. — Christine Franz, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 Sep. 2026

The commission’s guidelines have significant ramifications for technologies that could strengthen global food security, but the body is slow, underfunded, and controversial. — Anna Nelson, Foreign Affairs, 4 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