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
Benefit cuts of this magnitude could increase the number of beneficiaries living in poverty by more than 50%, with more than 16 million Americans over age 65 potentially falling below the poverty line.
—
Martha Shedden, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
In 2024, the United Way reported that more than 44% of Central Florida households, while living above the poverty line, struggled to cover all their basic expenses, from childcare to transportation.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Based at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, A Step Beyond is a 12-year-old nonprofit serving hundreds of local students whose families are living below the poverty line.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But there’s also massive wealth inequality — more than 6% of residents, many of them children, fall below the poverty line.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
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Martha Shedden, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026
In 2024, the United Way reported that more than 44% of Central Florida households, while living above the poverty line, struggled to cover all their basic expenses, from childcare to transportation.
—Michael Cuglietta, The Orlando Sentinel, 15 Apr. 2026
Based at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, A Step Beyond is a 12-year-old nonprofit serving hundreds of local students whose families are living below the poverty line.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Apr. 2026
But there’s also massive wealth inequality — more than 6% of residents, many of them children, fall below the poverty line.
—Grace Hase, Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2026
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 May. 2026.
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