shortfall

noun

short·​fall ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl How to pronounce shortfall (audio)
: a failure to come up to expectation or need
a budget shortfall
also : the amount of such failure
a $2 million shortfall

Examples of shortfall in a Sentence

a shortfall in milk production
Recent Examples on the Web Hugo van der Goes, the vice president for cocoa at Barry Callebaut, the world’s largest maker of bulk chocolate, said the shortfall could reach 500,000 metric tons, Bloomberg reported. David J. Lynch, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Russian authorities estimate a shortfall of 4.8 million domestic workers. Dara Massicot, Foreign Affairs, 8 Mar. 2024 More:After $1 billion Medicaid budget shortfall, Indiana to cut program paying family caregivers Contact IndyStar state government and politics reporter Kayla Dwyer at kdwyer@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter@kayla_dwyer17. Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Mar. 2024 Police departments nationwide have sought ways to improve officer retention and recruitment after many have reported staffing shortfalls amid anti-police sentiment over the past several years. Stephen Sorace, Fox News, 27 Feb. 2024 The think tank said the program faces a $35 billion to $95 billion ten-year shortfall, net of current reserves. Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Cash is in shorter supply this year as budget deficit estimates range from Newsom’s projection of a $37.9-billion shortfall to LAO predictions of a $73-billion fiscal hole in 2024. Taryn Luna, Los Angeles Times, 1 Mar. 2024 Councilmembers Ann O'Brien, Laura Pastor and Guardado questioned how the shortfalls could affect the new $500 million bond program that voters approved in November. Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 29 Feb. 2024 The deadline follows a blunt assessment this week of shortfalls in Boeing’s safety culture from a panel of experts who issued their report after a yearlong study. Julie Johnsson, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shortfall.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortfall was in 1895

Dictionary Entries Near shortfall

Cite this Entry

“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortfall. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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