poverty level

American  

noun

1. poverty line.

---

poverty level Cultural  

1. A level of income above which it is possible to achieve an adequate standard of living and below which it is not. It fluctuates with the cost of living.

---

Discover More

Because the poverty level is somewhat artificially established by the government, it can be manipulated for political ends. As with hidden unemployment, governments are often accused of establishing a poverty level that underestimates the number of poor people.

Other Word Forms

• poverty-level
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of poverty level

First recorded in 1975–80

Example Sentences

Those who qualify for debt relief either earn at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or have medical debt that is more than 5% of their income, the nonprofit says on its website.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026

That would expand the subsidies to enrollees with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level, or $31,920 for an individual or $66,000 for a family of four.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 2, 2026

A majority of them are under the age of 30 and have an income below the poverty level.

From Salon • Apr. 28, 2026

People earning more than 400% above the federal poverty level have lost their eligibility for tax credits.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 16, 2026

She and her daughter lived barely above the poverty level.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady