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

Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota and the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportations have left many pets behind. —Derek James, CBS News, 22 Jan. 2026

Legally, monitoring is supposed to ensure that people facing the possibility of deportation make their court date and follow other rules. —Ryan Oehrli, Charlotte Observer, 21 Jan. 2026

According to the court filings, Flores had been in ICE custody since September and opted for deportation. —Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2026

The starting salary for an ICE deportation officer in the Enforcement and Removal Operations division, or ERO, ranges from $51,632 up to $84,277. —Bill Chappell, NPR, 21 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