deficit

noun

def·​i·​cit ˈde-fə-sət 

British also di-ˈfi-sət

or ˈdē-fə-sət

1

a(1)

: deficiency in amount or quality

a deficit in rainfall

(2)

: a lack or impairment in an ability or functional capacity

cognitive deficits

a hearing deficit

b

: disadvantage

scored two runs to overcome a 2–1 deficit

2

a

: an excess of expenditure over revenue

facing a deficit of $3 billion

raise taxes to help reduce the budget deficit

b

: a loss (see loss sense 4b) in business operations

the year's operating deficit

Synonyms of deficit

• shortage
• lack
• deficiency

Examples of deficit in a Sentence

The government is facing a deficit of $3 billion.

We will reduce the federal budget deficit.

The team overcame a four-point deficit to win the game.

She has a slight hearing deficit in her left ear.

Recent Examples on the Web

But even after increasing the highest income tax bracket rate from 35% to 41% and the top marginal rate from 37% to 43%, the proposal would still add to deficits. —Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026

After the Pacers cut the deficit to six, the Knicks went on a 19-8 run to open a 94-77 lead. —CBS News, 18 Mar. 2026

Venezuela overcame a 2-0, fourth-inning deficit after rebounding from a three-run hole to beat defending champion Japan in a quarterfinal and reached the final for the first time after losing to South Korea in its only previous semifinal appearance in 2009. —Ronald Blum, Chicago Tribune, 17 Mar. 2026

The administration’s energy agenda simply moves millions of ratepayer dollars from one fund to pay budget deficits, creates a program to fund local clean energy projects and does nothing to address the state’s long-term energy supply problem. —Jason Buckel, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French déficit, going back to Middle French, "item lacking in an inventory," borrowed from Latin dēficit "it is lacking," 3rd person singular present indicative of dēficere "to be lacking, run short, fail" — more at deficient

First Known Use

1782, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing deficit

• attention deficit disorder
• attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• deficit spending
• trade deficit

Kids Definition

deficit

noun

def·​i·​cit ˈdef-ə-sət 

: a deficiency in amount

especially : an excess of expenses over income

Medical Definition

deficit

noun

de·​fi·​cit

ˈdef-(ə-)sət; British also di-ˈfis-ət, ˈdē-fə-sət

: a deficiency of a substance

a potassium deficit

also : a lack or impairment of a functional capacity

cognitive deficits