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

She was detained by ICE in April and released last month, though her deportation case is still active. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 13 June 2026

If the deadline is missed, their applications will be rejected — with no opportunity to appeal — and they could be placed in deportation proceedings. —Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Over the past year, 248 relatives of former military members have been put into deportation proceedings, 125 former service members have been arrested for immigration violations and 34 former military members have been put into deportation proceedings. —Alex Poppe, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2026

Questions about deportation centers are being quietly negotiated between a group of five nations and potential partners abroad. —ABC News, 12 June 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