food desert

noun

: an area where little fresh produce is available for sale

Despite the common perception of food deserts as city neighborhoods where fast food chains and convenience stores dominate, many of Kansas' food deserts are in rural areas. In some, residents have to drive 20 miles or farther to find a source of healthful food.—Megan Hart

Examples of food desert in a Sentence

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At the time, the plot was no more than dirt and a dream in an area of the city that was considered a food desert. — Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 11 May 2026 The Oak Cliff area contains several food deserts. — Staff Artist, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026 Matos has pointed to Woonsocket as an example of how restrictive covenants can lead to urban food deserts. — Antonia Noori Farzan, The Providence Journal, 8 May 2026 For Jaree, that framing ignores time scarcity, food deserts, or financial strain. — Michelle Beadle Holder, SELF, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for food desert

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of food desert was in 1988

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food cycle

food desert

food fight

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Style

“Food desert.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/food%20desert. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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food desert

noun

Examples of food desert in a Sentence

Word History

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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