poverty
noun
pov·er·ty
ˈpä-vər-tē 
often attributive
1
a
: the state of one who lacks a sufficient amount of money or material possessions : the state of being poor
specifically
: the state of one whose income is below the poverty line
living in poverty
b
: renunciation as a member of a religious order of the right as an individual to own property
3
a
: debility due to malnutrition
b
: lack of fertility
Examples of poverty in a Sentence
He was born in poverty.
There is a poverty of information about the disease.
Recent Examples on the Web
Helping Others Obtain Destiny — to reduce violence and poverty on Chicago’s South Side through mentorship, faith, workforce training and economic development initiatives.
—
Greg Wehner , Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The Netherlands has reduced old-age poverty to less than 3% through a universal pension paired with strong occupational plans.
—Teresa Ghilarducci, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
Criminalization also ignores the realities of mental health and poverty.
—Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
The recovery in achievement rates in the highest poverty districts, the report notes, seems to largely be due to federal relief funds given to state and local governments that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Connor Greene, Time, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poverty
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Greg Wehner , Anders Hagstrom, FOXNews.com, 18 May 2026
The Netherlands has reduced old-age poverty to less than 3% through a universal pension paired with strong occupational plans.
—Teresa Ghilarducci, Boston Herald, 18 May 2026
Criminalization also ignores the realities of mental health and poverty.
—Shianne Leclaire, Hartford Courant, 17 May 2026
The recovery in achievement rates in the highest poverty districts, the report notes, seems to largely be due to federal relief funds given to state and local governments that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
—Connor Greene, Time, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for poverty
Cite this Entry
“Poverty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poverty. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
poverty
noun
pov·er·ty
ˈpäv-ərt-ē
Medical Definition
poverty
noun
pov·er·ty
ˈpäv-ərt-ē
plural poverties
: debility due to malnutrition
evidence of poverty in calves
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