austerity

noun

aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ə-tē 

-ˈste-rə-,

 also  -ˈstir-ə-

plural austerities

1

: the quality or state of being austere: such as

a

: a stern and serious quality

the formal austerity of his manner

b

: a plain and simple quality

the austerity of the design

2

: enforced or extreme economy especially on a national scale

lived through years of austerity after the war

fiscal austerity

a series of austerity measures [=measures taken to reduce spending]

3

a

: an austere act, manner, or attitude

monastic self-denial and austerities

b

: an ascetic (see ascetic sense 1) practice

Examples of austerity in a Sentence

the austerity of the design

The austerity of their lifestyle was surprising.

They lived through years of austerity after the war.

the austerities practiced by monks

Recent Examples on the Web

In 2010, the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition implemented severe austerity measures by announcing the biggest cuts to state spending since World War II. —Astha Rajvanshi, TIME, 27 June 2024

Ruto added that the government would instead make further austerity measures, beginning with his own office. —Sammy Westfall, Washington Post, 26 June 2024

NBCUniversal’s chief content officer underscored the need for optimism in this troubled time in Hollywood – where austerity reigns, jobs are scarce and creatives are vexed by the approaching AI revolution. —Matt Donnelly, Variety, 22 June 2024

Sarabhai understands that to conserve the ashram’s aesthetic austerity is, in one sense, to conserve Gandhi’s political and social ethos. —Maya Jasanoff, The New Yorker, 19 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

see austere

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing austerity

• austerity measures

Kids Definition

austerity

noun

aus·​ter·​i·​ty ȯ-ˈster-ət-ē 

plural austerities

1

: the quality or state of being austere

2

: an austere act, manner, or attitude

3

: a way of living with few or no luxuries