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
Yet the average benefit is just $1,976 per month, barely above the poverty line.
—
Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Adults below the poverty line are roughly twice as likely to report only fair or poor health compared with the entire U.S. population, according to the CDC.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
The Senate's plan had far fewer restrictions, with priority placed generally on students receiving special education services and families below 500% of the poverty line.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The bill also prioritizes special education families and families at 200% of the poverty line.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
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Teresa Ghilarducci, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Adults below the poverty line are roughly twice as likely to report only fair or poor health compared with the entire U.S. population, according to the CDC.
—Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
The Senate's plan had far fewer restrictions, with priority placed generally on students receiving special education services and families below 500% of the poverty line.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
The bill also prioritizes special education families and families at 200% of the poverty line.
—Keri Heath, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 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 2 Sep. 2025.
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