deficit

noun

def·​i·​cit ˈde-fə-sət How to pronounce deficit (audio)
 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 Significant snow totals continue Snow totals across the mountains have so far met or exceeded expectations, and mountain communities that were just a month ago at a serious snow deficit are now all but buried. Sacramento Bee, 3 Mar. 2024 The food bank had already forecast a $1.5 million deficit in its current budget, but because of the donations drop, increased food prices and a loss of $350,000 in human services funding, that plan is now expanded to $3.5 million. The Enquirer, 3 Mar. 2024 According to a New York Times profile, Naomi was born with a chronic deficit of the hormone adrenaline. Jessica Booth, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024 Parts of the Sierra are closing in on erasing the snowpack deficit. Sara Tonks, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 Syracuse, New York, recorded a nearly five-foot snow deficit, the National Weather Service said. Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2024 Kim Hye-yong halved the deficit in the 81st minute to set up a tense finish, but the visitors failed to score again. Neel Shelat, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Phoenix was still struggling through a $38 million deficit years later in 2014, outraging councilmembers. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 Skill deficits, especially limited reading and math skills, played a role. Michael Bernick, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deficit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French déficit, going back to Middle French, "item lacking in an inventory," borrowed from Latin dēficit "it is lacking," 3rd person singular present indicative of dēficere "to be lacking, run short, fail" — more at deficient

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler
The first known use of deficit was in 1782

Dictionary Entries Near deficit

Cite this Entry

“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deficit

noun
def·​i·​cit ˈdef-ə-sət How to pronounce deficit (audio)
: a deficiency in amount
especially : an excess of expenses over income

Medical Definition

deficit

noun
de·​fi·​cit
ˈdef-(ə-)sət; British also di-ˈfis-ət, ˈdē-fə-sət
: a deficiency of a substance
a potassium deficit
also : a lack or impairment of a functional capacity
cognitive deficits

More from Merriam-Webster on deficit

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!