deficit
noun
def·i·cit
ˈde-fə-sət 
British also di-ˈfi-sət,
or ˈdē-fə-sət
1
a(1)
: deficiency in amount or quality
a deficit in rainfall
(2)
: a lack or impairment in an ability or functional capacity
cognitive deficits
a hearing deficit
b
: disadvantage
scored two runs to overcome a 2–1 deficit
2
a
: an excess of expenditure over revenue
facing a deficit of $3 billion
raise taxes to help reduce the budget deficit
b
: a loss (see loss sense 4b) in business operations
the year's operating deficit
Synonyms
Examples of deficit in a Sentence
The government is facing a deficit of $3 billion.
We will reduce the federal budget deficit.
The team overcame a four-point deficit to win the game.
She has a slight hearing deficit in her left ear.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Cardinal overcame a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit, and senior Emmet Kenney kicked a career-long 52-yard field goal as time expired as Stanford defeated No. 22 Louisville 38-35 on Saturday.
—
Harold Gutmann, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Seafarer reported a working capital deficit of $2,459,269 as of September 30, 2024, compared to $1,808,783 at the end of 2023.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
As a result, despite making significant strides in its economic and strategic engagement with the global South, the United States faces a trust deficit.
—Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Some economists credit McKinley’s tariffs with plunging the U.S. government into a deficit and leading to an economic depression a few years later in 1893.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficit 
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Harold Gutmann, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024
Seafarer reported a working capital deficit of $2,459,269 as of September 30, 2024, compared to $1,808,783 at the end of 2023.
—Quartz Bot, Quartz, 15 Nov. 2024
As a result, despite making significant strides in its economic and strategic engagement with the global South, the United States faces a trust deficit.
—Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
Some economists credit McKinley’s tariffs with plunging the U.S. government into a deficit and leading to an economic depression a few years later in 1893.
—Karissa Waddick, USA TODAY, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficit
Articles Related to deficit
Dictionary Entries Near deficit
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deficit
noun
def·i·cit
ˈdef-ə-sət
: a deficiency in amount
especially
: an excess of expenses over income
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