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
When the expansion expired in 2022, 3.2 million American children fell below the poverty line.
—
Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Imagine the 46 million or more people in this country who live on or below the poverty line.
—Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
Overall, the percentage of older Americans living below the poverty line and depression levels increased by six percent.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025
To be eligible, a family must live below the poverty line.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the poverty line 
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Kevin Lynn, Newsweek, 7 Jan. 2025
Imagine the 46 million or more people in this country who live on or below the poverty line.
—Andrea Wurzburger, People.com, 5 Jan. 2025
Overall, the percentage of older Americans living below the poverty line and depression levels increased by six percent.
—Dobrina Zhekova, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2025
To be eligible, a family must live below the poverty line.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for the poverty line
Dictionary Entries Near 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 18 Jan. 2025.
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