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.
Separately, Massachusetts had also previously established a pilot program offering state premium subsidies for people who earn up to 500% of the federal poverty line, according to Norris. Greg Iacurci, CNBC, 23 Jan. 2026 At the beginning of last year, the eligibility threshold to qualify for representation by a public defender was raised to 250% of the federal poverty line. Josie Reich, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2026 And that’s actually more generous than Florida’s School Readiness qualifications were last year, when they were tied to the federal poverty line — $32,000 for a four-person household. Max Klaver, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2026 The federal government set the 2025 poverty line at $32,150 per year for a family of four. Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 31 Dec. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Poverty line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty%20line. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!