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

The Boxers were able to trim the deficit, and fought until the bitter end with Nysion Miranda making the final five points of the game for the Boxers, including a layup at the buzzer. —Zach McMahon, Boston Herald, 21 Jan. 2026

Kuminga scored 10 points as the Warriors went on a 26-14 run to end the quarter, capped by Kuminga going end-to-end for a buzzer-beating layup to cut the deficit to 108-94. —Evan Webeck, Mercury News, 21 Jan. 2026

Edwards scored 12 points in the third quarter as the Timberwolves turned a 1-point deficit into a 96-84 lead. —CBS News, 21 Jan. 2026

The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortfall of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, with nearly half of that deficit in primary care. —Robert Pearl, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 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