1. a line of people waiting to receive free food, especially during times of economic hardship
2. a state of poverty or destitution
Usage: often used in the phrase ‘on the breadline’

Examples

• During the Great Depression, many families stood in breadlines for their daily meals.
• The charity organized a breadline to help feed the homeless population.
• After losing his job, he found himself on the breadline.
• The economic crisis forced thousands of people into breadlines across the city.
• She volunteers at the local breadline every weekend.
• The family has been living on the breadline since the factory closed.