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
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
Musk’s concerns are not the bill’s slashing of important programs, but its bloat, which the Congressional Budget Office estimated would add a staggering $2.4 trillion to the deficit.
—
New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Yesterday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that the current version of the bill would add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2025
The tiff between Musk and Republicans continued as the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the House bill would add roughly $2.4 million to the deficit over the next decade.
—Riley Beggin, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Other concerns stem from the costs of the project, particularly with the city’s growing budget deficit that could reach close to $100 million in the coming years.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
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New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 5 June 2025
Yesterday, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office reported that the current version of the bill would add $2.4 trillion to the deficit over the next 10 years.
—Brittney Melton, NPR, 5 June 2025
The tiff between Musk and Republicans continued as the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated that the House bill would add roughly $2.4 million to the deficit over the next decade.
—Riley Beggin, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Other concerns stem from the costs of the project, particularly with the city’s growing budget deficit that could reach close to $100 million in the coming years.
—Annika Merrilees, Sacbee.com, 5 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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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