Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

hooverville

noun

ˈhuːvərˌvɪl

Definition

A makeshift shantytown built by homeless people during the Great Depression, named after President Herbert Hoover, who was blamed for the economic crisis.

Examples

During the Great Depression, many families were forced to live in a hooverville on the outskirts of town.
Hoovervilles served as a stark reminder of the economic difficulties faced by many Americans.

Meaning

Hoovervilles were communities of huts and shacks that sprang up around cities in America during the 1930s, where many people lived in poverty due to the economic struggles of the time.