poverty line
nounUK /ˈpɒvəti laɪn/
US /ˈpɑːvərti laɪn/
The poverty line is the amount of money a family needs to buy the basic things they need to live.
Many families in the city live just below the poverty line.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. An official income level used by governments to decide who can receive financial help.
The government raised the poverty line to reflect higher food prices.
3. A measure used by economists to compare how many people in a country are poor.
According to the report, ten percent of households fall under the poverty line.
4. The lowest income at which a person is considered able to meet basic needs.
Earning below the poverty line often means skipping meals or heating.