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

Homan has threatened to marshal those forces to surge operations in New York City and other sanctuary jurisdictions, where immigrants generally face lower risk of arrest and deportation. — Nick Miroff, The Atlantic, 26 July 2026

And even when a judge sides with the government, that doesn’t always lead to deportation. — Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 July 2026

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has said Araujo was not the target of their initial deportation operation in the Houston area. — Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 25 July 2026

On Friday, some lawmakers reportedly met with immigration law experts and community leaders to discuss legal options, as well as ways to keep people safe if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents start a deportation roundup. — David Lyons, Sun Sentinel, 25 July 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