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

The new plan does aim to fund DHS without funding the part of ICE charged with detentions and its deportation operations. —March 25, NPR, 25 Mar. 2026

But thanks to the postwar anti-alien hysteria and the deportation laws enacted during and soon after the First World War, the island’s business has become the expulsion of foreigners. —Christine Smallwood, Harpers Magazine, 24 Mar. 2026

Their most challenging requests in the talks are removing masks from federal officers and requiring judicial warrants for deportations. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 24 Mar. 2026

Benavidez said that could include clearer disclosures about whether and how airlines are involved in deportation logistics. —Zachary Bynum, CBS News, 24 Mar. 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