deficit spending

noun

: the spending of public funds raised by borrowing rather than by taxation

Examples of deficit spending in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The deficit spending, directors said, will force a rapid drawdown of RTD reserves that were earmarked for service expansion. Bruce Finley, Denver Post, 3 Dec. 2025 The foundation’s analysis attributes the acceleration to a combination of deficit spending, rising interest costs, and the economic drag of the ongoing government shutdown. Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 22 Oct. 2025 The Indiana Daily Student has over $400,000 to spend, but the former adviser of the paper said administrators hamstrung his ability to use those funds, worsening the newspaper's deficit spending. Cate Charron, IndyStar, 17 Oct. 2025 Also, Japan is expected to turn to higher deficit spending and lower interest rates to goose its economy. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deficit spending

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deficit spending was in 1938

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Deficit spending.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit%20spending. Accessed 18 Dec. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!