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.
The federal poverty line for a single adult regardless of age is $15,060. Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 10 June 2026 Families with stay-at-home moms are three times more likely than dual-income families to fall below the supplemental poverty line, according to one report from the think tank Century Foundation. Faith Hill, The Atlantic, 8 June 2026 More than 30% of people in those countries already live below the extreme poverty line, defined as living on $3 or less a day. David McHugh, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026 Unemployment runs roughly double the mainland rate, and more than three-quarters of households in Mayotte live below the national poverty line. ABC News, 27 May 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poverty line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty%20line. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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