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

Yuanxin and his father will be reunited later this month when they are both put on a deportation flight back to China, according to the NYT, citing federal records. —Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

The surge by Immigration and Customs Enforcement is expected to target individuals in the Twin Cities area with deportation orders, the official said. —Camilo Montoya-Galvez, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2025

They are then taken to a detention center in Louisiana to face potential deportation. —Michael Sinkewicz, FOXNews.com, 5 Dec. 2025

What Happens Next Allan has reportedly been granted a stay preventing his deportation for now, with the couple waiting for a further hearing to plead their case. —Dan Gooding, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 Dec. 2025

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