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

McCollum scored a game-high 32 points to lead the Hawks back from a 14-point second-half deficit and tie the series 1-1. —Darnell Mayberry, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026

Bessie Rhodes and Kingsley are set to shutter at the end of the 2025-26 school year, as part of the district’s effort to achieve financial sustainability amid a $10-15 million budget deficit. —Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026

The latest Stantec Financial Sustainability Plan Updates for the city’s general fund show deficits starting at $11 million in Fiscal Year 2027 and going up to $76 million by FY 2035. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026

The Sabres became the NHL’s eighth team to rally from a two-or-more-goal deficit in the final 10 minutes and win in regulation. —Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 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