food security

noun

: the fact or an instance of being able to consistently access or afford adequate food

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines "food security" as access at all times by all people within a household to enough food for an active, healthy life. "Food insecurity," on the other hand, occurs when a household's consistent access to adequate food is limited by a lack of money and other resources at times during the year.

—Elyse Miller

… the percentage of households with very low food security jumped to 5.7 percent last year …

—Tony Pugh

Examples of food security in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Philippines are among the countries that are most exposed to food security risk from the super El Niño and also face the highest risk of civil unrest due to rising prices, Verisk Maplecroft said. — Priyanka Salve, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

Restrictions on the entry of goods and aid have contributed to a hunger crisis, food security experts say. — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Those benefits focus on food security, economic mobility and reconnecting the splintered neighborhoods. — Desiree Mathurin, Charlotte Observer, 1 Oct. 2026

Its critical minerals, abundant renewable energy, and strong agricultural sector are exactly what the world needs for food security, advanced technology, and the energy transition. — Dan Restrepo, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for food security

• immaturity
• insecurity
• prematurity
• biosecurity
• cybersecurity
• impurity
• maturity
• obscurity
• purity
• surety