breadline
noun C2
Plain meaning
a level of extreme poverty where people can barely survive
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe a level of extreme poverty where people can barely survive, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalThe article mentioned breadline as one of the main issues.
examThe author examines breadline in relation to social change, public policy, and institutional responsibility.
Common collocations
a clear breadlineevidence of breadlinewidespread breadline
Watch out
Do not use “breadline” as a vague high-level replacement; make sure the sentence really needs this specific noun.