deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpȯr-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce deportation (audio)
-pər-
1
: an act or instance of deporting
2
: the removal from a country of an alien whose presence is unlawful or prejudicial

Examples of deportation in a Sentence

the deportation of the Jews from Spain in 1492
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Park’s departure is the latest in a series of high-profile deportations of military veterans that have come as the Trump administration escalates immigration enforcement across the country. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 28 June 2025 President Donald Trump has pledged to launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history, with people residing in the country illegally as well as immigrants with valid documentation, including green cards and visas, having been detained, and many deported. Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 June 2025 But this year, Iran and Pakistan have stepped up the deportations. Ruchi Kumar, NPR, 28 June 2025 The Senate is preparing for a key procedural vote during a rare Saturday session as Republicans race to pass President Donald Trump’s package of tax breaks, spending cuts and bolstered deportation funds by his July Fourth deadline. Alicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 28 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for deportation

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deportation was in 1595

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deportation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deportation. Accessed 6 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

deportation

noun
de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpōr-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce deportation (audio)
: an act or instance of deporting
specifically : the removal from a country of an alien whose presence is illegal or detrimental to the public welfare compare exclusion

More from Merriam-Webster on deportation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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