deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpȯr-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce deportation (audio)
-pər-
1
: an act or instance of deporting
2
: the removal from a country of an alien whose presence is unlawful or prejudicial

Examples of deportation in a Sentence

the deportation of the Jews from Spain in 1492
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The ruling especially makes those with no other lawful pathways vulnerable to deportation to a homeland in turmoil so extreme the federal government opted to grant TPS in the first place. Syra Ortiz Blanes, Miami Herald, 4 Oct. 2025 When the Supreme Court, in May, allowed the administration to end deportation protections temporarily, thousands of families were torn apart, lawyers for the National TPS Alliance told the Supreme Court in September. Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 3 Oct. 2025 Guevara’s deportation comes after the Bureau of Immigration Appeals closed his case on September 19, ordering that he be removed from the US. Liam Reilly, CNN Money, 3 Oct. 2025 Abrego Garcia entered the country illegally more than a decade ago but had a court order blocking his deportation to El Salvador over what a judge found was a credible fear of persecution by gangs there. Evan Mealins, Nashville Tennessean, 3 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deportation

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deportation was in 1595

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Cite this Entry

“Deportation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deportation. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.

Legal Definition

deportation

noun
de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpōr-ˈtā-shən How to pronounce deportation (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on deportation

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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