deficiency

noun de·fi·cien·cy \ di-ˈfi-shən-sē \

|Updated on: 4 Jul 2018

Examples: deficiency in a Sentence

Definition of deficiency

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 2b(1)

See deficiency defined for English-language learners

See deficiency defined for kids

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

There is no way a Republican DOJ is going to rely on a technical deficiency to not respond.

— Fox News, "Border Patrol official: Disgusting to attack border agents," 22 June 2018
Research shows that the deficiency may interfere with fetal development of bones, lungs and the immune system, and lead to a newborn with reduced growth and a greater chance of respiratory problems.

— michael roizen, m.d., and mehmet oz, Houston Chronicle, "How can you recognize and prevent suicide?," 17 June 2018
For how could my inexperience, my notebooks full of stuff only for myself, be anything but a substantial deficiency?

— lauren markham, Longreads, "For Me, With Love and Squalor," 7 June 2018
The biggest deficiency is a handy way to get to the airport, but carfare will be offset by not having to pay for parking.

— randy essex, Detroit Free Press, "I've decided to go carless in Detroit — and it's liberating," 19 May 2018
Today, Kennon favors a concept called Asset-Based Community Development, which focuses on multiplying the assets within a community instead of working to correct deficiencies.

— janene holzberg, Howard County Times, "Chapter and verse on Tonya Kennon, Howard County's new library director," 4 May 2018
Lead exposure and a chemical spill at Sacramento State are expected to feature prominently in a state audit scheduled for release Tuesday examining whether the California State University system has health and safety deficiencies.

— diana lambert, sacbee, "Sacramento State had lead and chemical safety problems. Does CSU have systemwide issues? | The Sacramento Bee," 22 Apr. 2018
The logical conclusion is that buffalo were unable to eat sufficient, good-quality forage to provide them with vitamin E and selenium and that this deficiency was then passed on to the lions feeding off their meat.

— elaina zachos, National Geographic, "Exclusive: Fatal Disease Likely Found in Lion Cubs for First Time," 11 Apr. 2018
In contrast to earlier court opinions, Monday’s ruling extended an olive branch to the Legislature and complimented lawmakers on making an attempt to correct constitutional deficiencies.

— dion lefler, hunter woodall, katy bergen and suzanne tobias, kansascity, "Kansas school funding still inadequate, Supreme Court says," 25 June 2018

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

¹defici(ent) + -ency

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1603

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

deficiency Synonyms

DEFICIENCY Defined for English Language Learners

deficiency

noun

Definition of deficiency for English Language Learners

: a lack of something that is needed : the state of not having enough of something necessary
: a problem in the way something is made or formed

DEFICIENCY Defined for Kids

deficiency

noun de·fi·cien·cy \ di-ˈfi-shən-sē \

Definition of deficiency for Students

plural deficiencies

: the condition of being without something necessary and especially something required for health

a vitamin deficiency

Medical Dictionary

deficiency

noun de·fi·cien·cy \ di-ˈfish-ən-sē \

medical Definition of deficiency

plural deficiencies

1 : a shortage of substances (as vitamins) necessary to health

2 : deletion

Law Dictionary

deficiency

noun de·fi·cien·cy \ di-ˈfi-shən-sē \

legal Definition of deficiency

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