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

Upon taking office, the Biden administration stopped turning away unaccompanied child migrants, attempted to halt Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations for 100 days, and suspended border wall construction. — Anna Giaritelli, The Washington Examiner, 14 Oct. 2026

According to the Justice Department, a pardon can eliminate certain grounds for deportation, but its immigration consequences depend on the circumstances of the case. — Stephanie Giang-Paunon, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Mullin said Belgal, the boy's father, would face criminal prosecution and be placed in deportation proceedings. — Arkansas Online, 10 Oct. 2026

Prosecutors accuse Ul Haque of using different identities to evade an earlier deportation order and subsequently obtain immigration benefits. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 Oct. 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