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
Houston's suffocating defense wiped away a 14-point deficit over the final eight minutes and erased Cooper Flagg and Duke's title hopes Saturday in a 70-67 stunner over the Blue Devils at the Final Four.
—
CBS News, 6 Apr. 2025
The Gators came back from a nine-point second-half deficit to win 79-73, riding a 34-point performance by Walter Clayton Jr.
By night’s end, that comeback was but a footnote.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
The bill directs both chambers to cut the deficit through spending cuts.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Revenue raised by tariffs could help offset some of its deficits.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
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show current usage.
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CBS News, 6 Apr. 2025
The Gators came back from a nine-point second-half deficit to win 79-73, riding a 34-point performance by Walter Clayton Jr.
By night’s end, that comeback was but a footnote.
—Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 6 Apr. 2025
The bill directs both chambers to cut the deficit through spending cuts.
—Claudia Grisales, NPR, 5 Apr. 2025
Revenue raised by tariffs could help offset some of its deficits.
—David Goldman, CNN Money, 5 Apr. 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 9 Apr. 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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