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

Synonyms

• crunch
• dearth
• deficiency
• drought
• drouth
• failure
• famine
• inadequacy
• inadequateness
• insufficiency
• lack
• lacuna
• paucity
• pinch
• poverty
• scantiness
• scarceness
• scarcity
• shortage
• undersupply
• want

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

Maryland’s 85-77 win over Michigan featured a second half where the Terps erased their halftime deficit and outscored the Wolverines by 10. —Taylor Lyons, Baltimore Sun, 18 Feb. 2025

Amid our age of attention deficits, Isbell’s achievements carry significant weight, particularly in a time when expectations for lavish spectacles continue to grow and lyric prompters, pre-recorded vocals and backing tracks are increasingly commonplace. —Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

The deal reflects a push-and-pull between House Republicans' Freedom Caucus, which has been loath to increase the size of the federal deficit, and House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., who is leading efforts to implement Trump's sweeping tax plan. —Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 14 Feb. 2025

San Diego officials have projected budget deficits for the city totaling nearly $1.5 billion over the next five years. —Jeanne Rawdin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 Feb. 2025

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)

Phrases Containing deficit

• attention deficit disorder
• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• deficit spending
• trade deficit

Kids Definition

deficit

noun

def·​i·​cit ˈdef-ə-sət 

: 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