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poverty line

noun

: a level of personal or family income below which one is classified as poor according to governmental standards

called also poverty level

Examples of poverty line in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Households whose earnings exceed a certain threshold — 400% of the federal poverty line — are most exposed, according to policy experts. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 25 Nov. 2025 The proposal would require a minimum premium payment and limit eligibility for the subsidies, which come in the form of tax credits, to enrollees with income up to 700% of the federal poverty line, the report said. Jason Ma, Fortune, 24 Nov. 2025 Some 92% of SNAP benefits go to American households below the federal poverty line. Amitrajeet A. Batabyal, The Conversation, 13 Nov. 2025 Eligibility is limited to households whose net income after allowable expenses does not exceed the federal poverty line — about $32,000 a year for a family of four. Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for poverty line

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poverty line was in 1887

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Cite this Entry

“Poverty line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty%20line. Accessed 30 Nov. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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