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

Maxwell Parent capped a great drive with a one-yard touchdown rush, as the Eagles trimmed their deficit to 14-6 at the break. —Brendan Connelly, Boston Herald, 27 Nov. 2025

Sacramento cut the deficit to 18 after opening the second quarter with a 7-0 run, but the Kings couldn’t string together enough stops to get back in the game. —Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 27 Nov. 2025

Jackson, who had a career high 17 points with four rebounds in 27 minutes, scored 11 straight points for KU in a stretch in which the Jayhawks erased a 53-41 deficit courtesy of a 15-3 run. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 27 Nov. 2025

At a time of record federal deficits, spiking highway deaths, and heightened concern about emissions, subsidizing truck freight makes no economic sense. —Michael F. Gorman, Fortune, 27 Nov. 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