deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē 
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being defective or of lacking some necessary quality or element : the quality or state of being deficient : inadequacy
suffers from a deficiency of critical thinking
2
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate : shortage
staffing deficiencies
: such as
a
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
a vitamin C deficiency
hormone deficiencies
b
genetics
: deletion sense 2b(1)
Synonyms
Examples of deficiency in a Sentence
The disease may be caused by nutritional deficiencies.
The book's major deficiency is its poor plot.
a deficiency of vitamin C
There are several deficiencies in his plan.
The accident was caused by deficiencies in the engine.
Recent Examples on the Web
Types of Enzyme Deficiencies There are thousands of enzyme deficiencies.
—
Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024
But his lack of aggressiveness around the rim — even when paired against a mismatch as severe as Kawamura — suggests that the Bulls could be dealing with the same deficiencies from Williams again.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2024
The lender will also need permission from the OCC to open new branches or offer new products and must set up a US office dedicated to rectifying its deficiencies.
—Christine Dobby, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024
With both losses coming in close games, however, the most glaring deficiency is the offense’s ineffectiveness in key situations.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficiency 
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illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
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Kelly Burch Published, Verywell Health, 22 Oct. 2024
But his lack of aggressiveness around the rim — even when paired against a mismatch as severe as Kawamura — suggests that the Bulls could be dealing with the same deficiencies from Williams again.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Oct. 2024
The lender will also need permission from the OCC to open new branches or offer new products and must set up a US office dedicated to rectifying its deficiencies.
—Christine Dobby, Fortune, 10 Oct. 2024
With both losses coming in close games, however, the most glaring deficiency is the offense’s ineffectiveness in key situations.
—Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficiency
Dictionary Entries Near deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being deficient
2
: the quality or state of being inadequate
especially
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
Medical Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: a shortage of substances (as vitamins) necessary to health
2
: deletion
Legal Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē
plural deficiencies
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate: as
a
: the difference between the amount of tax owed and the amount of tax paid
b
: the difference between the amount owed under a security agreement and the amount the creditor is able to recover upon default of the debtor by selling the collateral
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