deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē 
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being defective or of lacking some necessary quality or element : the quality or state of being deficient : inadequacy
suffers from a deficiency of critical thinking
2
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate : shortage
staffing deficiencies
: such as
a
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
a vitamin C deficiency
hormone deficiencies
b
genetics
: deletion sense 2b(1)
Examples of deficiency in a Sentence
The disease may be caused by nutritional deficiencies.
The book's major deficiency is its poor plot.
a deficiency of vitamin C
There are several deficiencies in his plan.
The accident was caused by deficiencies in the engine.
Recent Examples on the Web
In fact, one study found 84% of postmenopausal women diagnosed with osteoporosis had a magnesium deficiency.
—
Caroline Tien, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
To remedy this seeming deficiency in power, the marque’s then-head of racing, Erich Waxenberger, set up a skunkworks program to create a more potent Pagoda.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026
Most organizations try to fix deficiencies or incrementally raise satisfaction levels.
—Marcus Buckingham, Harvard Business Review, 26 Mar. 2026
That makes this holistic treatment a good fit for someone with hair loss driven in part by nutritional deficiencies.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Caroline Tien, SELF, 27 Mar. 2026
To remedy this seeming deficiency in power, the marque’s then-head of racing, Erich Waxenberger, set up a skunkworks program to create a more potent Pagoda.
—Brett Berk, Robb Report, 27 Mar. 2026
Most organizations try to fix deficiencies or incrementally raise satisfaction levels.
—Marcus Buckingham, Harvard Business Review, 26 Mar. 2026
That makes this holistic treatment a good fit for someone with hair loss driven in part by nutritional deficiencies.
—Rebecca Strong, USA Today, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being deficient
2
: the quality or state of being inadequate
especially
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
Medical Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: a shortage of substances (as vitamins) necessary to health
2
: deletion
Legal Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē
plural deficiencies
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate: as
a
: the difference between the amount of tax owed and the amount of tax paid
b
: the difference between the amount owed under a security agreement and the amount the creditor is able to recover upon default of the debtor by selling the collateral
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