deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpȯr-ˈtā-shən 

-pər-

plural deportations

: an act or instance of deporting

especially : the removal from a country by an executive government agency of a foreign-born noncitizen (such as one whose presence violates immigration laws or is ruled detrimental to the public welfare)

Synonyms of deportation

• expulsion

Examples of deportation in a Sentence

the deportation of the Jews from Spain in 1492

Recent Examples on the Web

Mass deportations were a top consideration for Agyemen, who came to Sacramento from Sierra Leone in West Africa. — Michael McGough, Sacbee.com, 3 Nov. 2026

Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, an attorney representing Sadat and another Afghan national facing deportation, said both clients were told independently they would be flown to Pakistan on Tuesday before being transported overland to the Afghan border. — Nicole Sganga, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Immigrant deportations have threatened the agricultural labor force, and cuts to foreign aid and SNAP food stamps hurt the market for agricultural products. — Sarah Raza, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Parra Hernandez, who has lived in Harris County for more than 30 years, has no criminal record and no pending deportation order, Harris County District Attorney Sean Teare said at a news conference Friday. — Emma Tucker, CNN Money, 2 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deportation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Legal Definition

deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpōr-ˈtā-shən 

: 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