Definition of austerity
plural austerities
1
: the quality or state of being austere: such as
a
: a stern and serious quality
- the formal austerity of his manner
b
: a plain and simple quality
- the austerity of the design
2
: enforced or extreme economy especially on a national scale
- lived through years of austerity after the war
- fiscal austerity
- a series of austerity measures [=measures taken to reduce spending]
3 a
: an austere act, manner, or attitude
- monastic self-denial and austerities
b
: an ascetic (see ascetic 1) practice
