insufficiency

noun

in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē How to pronounce insufficiency (audio)
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient: such as
a
: lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence
the insufficiency of this person for public office
b
: lack of adequate supply
insufficiency of provisions
c
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially : inability of an organ or body part to function normally
renal insufficiency
2
: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations

Examples of insufficiency in a Sentence

dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket her alleged insufficiency for the job
Recent Examples on the Web The death, categorized as natural and nonviolent, stemmed from respiratory insufficiency, pulmonary edema, and acute heart failure. Jessica Wang, EW.com, 8 May 2023 The insufficiency of domestic LNG transportation infrastructure (for Democrats, everything is infrastructure, except private infrastructure) means that regions such as the Northeast and the West Coast are often better off importing natural gas. The Editors, National Review, 30 Jan. 2024 But the play’s great poignancy lies in its restraint, in the moments that could lead to shouting and instead lead to silence and space, the insufficiency — especially in a world of constant translation — of language. Sara Holdren, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2024 An endocrinologist at Boston University's medical school, Holick says that the insufficiency standard is justified by an observational study from 2010. Christie Aschwanden, Scientific American, 19 Dec. 2023 Among all of the coastal enclave’s critical shortages — food and fuel, medicine and shelter, clean drinking water — another insufficiency emerged: Gaza, the United Nations said Monday, has run out of body bags. Laura King, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2023 Finally, severe venous insufficiency can cause breakdown in the skin. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 21 Aug. 2023 The state board of education must develop guidelines for how schools will support children with adrenal insufficiency before the start of the 2024-25 school year. Trisha Powell Crain | Tcrain@al.com, al, 5 July 2023 With further testing, I was officially diagnosed with premature ovarian insufficiency, at age 31. Paige Stables, Allure, 16 Nov. 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1526, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of insufficiency was in 1526

Dictionary Entries Near insufficiency

Cite this Entry

“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficiency. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

insufficiency

noun
in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē How to pronounce insufficiency (audio)
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient
2
: a lack of something : deficiency

Medical Definition

insufficiency

noun
in·​suf·​fi·​cien·​cy ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē How to pronounce insufficiency (audio)
plural insufficiencies
: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as
a
: lack of adequate supply of something
an insufficiency of vitamins
b
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially : inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally
renal insufficiency
pulmonary insufficiency
insufficient adjective
insufficient blood flow to the brain

More from Merriam-Webster on insufficiency

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