deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpȯr-ˈtā-shən 

-pər-

plural deportations

: an act or instance of deporting

especially : the removal from a country by an executive government agency of a foreign-born noncitizen (such as one whose presence violates immigration laws or is ruled detrimental to the public welfare)

Synonyms of deportation

• expulsion

Examples of deportation in a Sentence

the deportation of the Jews from Spain in 1492

Recent Examples on the Web

In remarks on Wednesday, Ceisler argued the agreement was making Bucks County residents less safe by discouraging immigrant communities from reporting crime out of fear of deportation or detention. —Josh Sanders, CBS News, 14 Jan. 2026

The president has recently come under immense scrutiny for his use of the military after the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro, his appearances in the Epstein files and his aggressive deportation agenda. —Garrett Downs, CNBC, 14 Jan. 2026

Immigration arrests and deportations have also ramped up across the country. —Daniella Silva, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026

Tighter immigration policies and deportations have narrowed the available workforce while younger generations continue to shun the blue-collar industry, even when wages measurably increase. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 14 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deportation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Legal Definition

deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpōr-ˈtā-shən 

: an act or instance of deporting

specifically : the removal from a country of an alien whose presence is illegal or detrimental to the public welfare compare exclusion