the poverty line
noun
: the level of income that makes it possible for a person to pay for basic food, clothing, and shelter
families living below/at the poverty line
Examples of the poverty line in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Nearly 740,000 Ohio households received SNAP benefits in 2022, according to the USDA, and 79% of Ohio households receiving SNAP benefits had income at or below the poverty line, according to the USDA.
—
Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
Among those beneficiaries, 73% live below the poverty line, which is currently $32,150 or less for a family of four.
—Courtney Reagan, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
More than 6 in 10 (62%) of those recipients are families with young children, older people living below the poverty line, or disabled.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
More than 20 percent live below the poverty line.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the poverty line
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Mariyam Muhammad, Cincinnati Enquirer, 29 Oct. 2025
Among those beneficiaries, 73% live below the poverty line, which is currently $32,150 or less for a family of four.
—Courtney Reagan, CNBC, 29 Oct. 2025
More than 6 in 10 (62%) of those recipients are families with young children, older people living below the poverty line, or disabled.
—Andre Mouchard, Oc Register, 24 Oct. 2025
More than 20 percent live below the poverty line.
—David Peisner, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the poverty line
Cite this Entry
“The poverty line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20poverty%20line. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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