Definition of deficiency
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 asa : a shortage of substances necessary to health a vitamin C deficiency hormone deficienciesb genetics : deletion 2b(1)
From the M-W Editors
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 of deficiency from the Web
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The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic on March 17 after an inspection by the state Department of Transportation and Development found deficiencies in the timber piling substructure.
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The deficiencies cited by the Fed include controls over transactions like mirror trades, said one person with knowledge of the matter.
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The key was their tumors' genetic defect, known as mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency - akin to a missing spell-check on their DNA.
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But for two seasons before their stud pitcher arrived, the Huskies made do and tried to compensate for their pitching deficiencies by generating a lot of offense.
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Mrs. VandeLinde's health began deteriorating in 2002 from her pulmonary disease — brought on by smoking but also a genetic deficiency in the proteins that line the lungs.
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A slight sense of tedium may have been due to the hour and the mass of notes previously heard rather than any deficiency on Maximov’s part.
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Second, adults can suffer nutritional deficiencies.
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Julianna Peña has found there’s a way to overcome any experience deficiency in the UFC octagon.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'deficiency'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of deficiency
see 1deficient
DEFICIENCY Defined for English Language Learners
deficiency
playDefinition of deficiency for English Language Learners
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: a lack of something that is needed : the state of not having enough of something necessary
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: a problem in the way something is made or formed
DEFICIENCY Defined for Kids
deficiency
playDefinition of deficiency for Students
deficiencies
: the condition of being without something necessary and especially something required for health a vitamin deficiency
Medical Dictionary
Law Dictionary
deficiency
playLegal Definition of deficiency
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
Learn More about deficiency
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for deficiency Spanish Central: Translation of deficiency Nglish: Translation of deficiency for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of deficiency for Arabic speakers
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