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
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
The Gators capped their magical season by rallying from a 12-point deficit against Houston.
—
Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Eliminating it isn’t going to make a dent in America’s $2 trillion deficit.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
To get to the Final Four, Florida rallied from a nine-point deficit with less than three minutes left to eliminate Texas Tech, 84-79.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Corey Conners, who went from a five-shot deficit to one shot behind McIlroy in a span of three holes on this wild Saturday, closed with eight straight pars for a 70.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
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Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Eliminating it isn’t going to make a dent in America’s $2 trillion deficit.
—The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
To get to the Final Four, Florida rallied from a nine-point deficit with less than three minutes left to eliminate Texas Tech, 84-79.
—Walter Villa, Miami Herald, 13 Apr. 2025
Corey Conners, who went from a five-shot deficit to one shot behind McIlroy in a span of three holes on this wild Saturday, closed with eight straight pars for a 70.
—Doug Ferguson, Chicago Tribune, 13 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deficit
noun
def·i·cit
ˈdef-ə-sət
: a deficiency in amount
especially
: an excess of expenses over income
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