breadlinenoun
uk/ˈbred.laɪn/us/ˈbred.laɪn/breadline noun (INCOME)
the breadline [ S ] UK
the level of income people have when they are extremely poor:
Most students are on/close to/below the breadline.
breadline noun (GROUP)
[ C ] US a group of people waiting outside a particular building to be given food:
You'll see breadlines outside many New York churches at lunchtime.