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
Collectively, the deficiencies identified by interim coach Frank Lampard towards the end of the 2022-23 season and later by Mauricio Pochettino and Enzo Maresca — a collective lack of experience, resilience and know-how — have still been in evidence in the first six weeks of Rosenior’s tenure.
—
Oliver Kay, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Oddly, Southern states have lately been the most active in owning up to their educational deficiencies.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Auditors also identified deficiencies in payments to bus contractors and found WCPS did not adequately monitor the performance of its third-party administrator, which manages employee health care claims.
—Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with bone health issues, weak muscles, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 26 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
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Oliver Kay, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
Oddly, Southern states have lately been the most active in owning up to their educational deficiencies.
—Dan Walters, Oc Register, 26 Feb. 2026
Auditors also identified deficiencies in payments to bus contractors and found WCPS did not adequately monitor the performance of its third-party administrator, which manages employee health care claims.
—Josh Davis, Baltimore Sun, 26 Feb. 2026
Vitamin D deficiency is associated with bone health issues, weak muscles, cardiovascular disease, and depression.
—Emma Loewe, Outside, 26 Feb. 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 28 Feb. 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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