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 While the income requirements differ by state, households typically qualify for SNAP benefits if their total income is at or below 130% of the federal poverty line and if their net income after deductions is at or below the federal poverty line. Simmone Shah, TIME, 18 June 2024 People were eligible if their income was 200% or below the federal poverty line or on Medicaid, nutrition assistance programs, or free or reduced school breakfast or lunch. Lisa Hagen, Hartford Courant, 18 May 2024 China itself experienced an economic rise that was unparalleled in modern history, becoming the world’s second-largest economy in 2010 and lifting more than 800 million of its citizens above the World Bank’s poverty line. Peter E. Harrell, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2023 The Standing Rock reservation, where in 2016 more than 40 percent of residents fell below the federal poverty line (triple the national rate), was vulnerable on both counts. James K. Boyce, Scientific American, 1 Nov. 2018 See all Example Sentences for poverty line 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'poverty line.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1901, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of poverty line was in 1901

Dictionary Entries Near poverty line

Cite this Entry

“Poverty line.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty%20line. Accessed 4 Jul. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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