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
Elyse Miller… the percentage of households with very low food security jumped to 5.7 percent last year …—Tony Pugh
Tony PughExamples of food security in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Officials said that the food security situation is deteriorating because of water shortages, insecurity, conflict and historically low levels of humanitarian assistance linked to global funding cuts.
—ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Efficiently developing mineral sites is necessary for Africa’s own industrialization, infrastructure expansion, food security, and energy systems, AFC argued.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Social scientists in the food security space say the stricter requirements will cause greater food insecurity, take money out of neighborhoods, and force state governments to figure out how to bear the costs while keeping their own budgets trimmed.
—Annemarie Dooling, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
But the bill’s advancement was not cause for celebration among the food security advocates who have been calling for state funds to cover the cost of school meal copays for years.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Agriculture is the backbone of Texas, and my mission has always been to protect our producers, expand markets, and ensure food security for every Texan.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Cuba faces acute challenges including food security, energy shortages, rising disease rates and ongoing economic contraction.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
But Beijing’s end goal is food security — reducing reliance on other countries.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Helping people to get jobs that provide food security will be particularly important in the coming years, with demand for help through food banks projected to double nationwide, Pulling said.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
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ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Efficiently developing mineral sites is necessary for Africa’s own industrialization, infrastructure expansion, food security, and energy systems, AFC argued.
—Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 20 Feb. 2026
Social scientists in the food security space say the stricter requirements will cause greater food insecurity, take money out of neighborhoods, and force state governments to figure out how to bear the costs while keeping their own budgets trimmed.
—Annemarie Dooling, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
But the bill’s advancement was not cause for celebration among the food security advocates who have been calling for state funds to cover the cost of school meal copays for years.
—Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 15 Feb. 2026
Agriculture is the backbone of Texas, and my mission has always been to protect our producers, expand markets, and ensure food security for every Texan.
—Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 Feb. 2026
Cuba faces acute challenges including food security, energy shortages, rising disease rates and ongoing economic contraction.
—Chicago Tribune, 11 Feb. 2026
But Beijing’s end goal is food security — reducing reliance on other countries.
—Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 11 Feb. 2026
Helping people to get jobs that provide food security will be particularly important in the coming years, with demand for help through food banks projected to double nationwide, Pulling said.
—Meg Wingerter, Denver Post, 5 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Food security.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20security. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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