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

That includes linebacker Leo Chenal, who forced a fumble and blocked a 49ers’ extra-point attempt in the fourth quarter that kept the Chiefs’ deficit at three points. —Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 18 Dec. 2025

His now-defunct campaign website credited him with reducing the Village of McCook budget deficit while increasing police, fire, and public works personnel, and securing the MAX indoor sports arena in McCook. —Adam Harrington, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

But a lot of the reasoning for why Tres Leches was able to come back from that 7-3 deficit was because of my relationship with Jawan. —Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 18 Dec. 2025

California food banks are seeing increases in demand following the federal shutdown and as Republicans nationally restrict who is eligible for government aid — increasing the pressure on state lawmakers to find ways to counter those cuts despite the deficit in their own budget. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 18 Dec. 2025

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