deprivation

noun

dep·​ri·​va·​tion ˌde-prə-ˈvā-shən 

also

ˌdē-ˌprī- 

1

: the state of being kept from possessing, enjoying, or using something : the state of being deprived : privation

especially : removal from an office, dignity, or benefice

2

: an act or instance of withholding or taking something away from someone or something : an act or instance of depriving : loss

overcoming the deprivations of their childhoods

the hazards of oxygen deprivation

sleep deprivation

Synonyms of deprivation

• lack
• loss
• privation
• denial

Examples of deprivation in a Sentence

She is studying the effects of sleep deprivation.

She eventually overcame the deprivations of her childhood.

Recent Examples on the Web

Hamilton says severe sleep deprivation can be comparable to driving under the influence, affecting your accuracy and reaction time. —Wakisha Bailey, CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Such terrible deprivations the newcomers to our land must endure while guzzling nips, smoking weed and driving the wrong way on our interstate highways. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 22 Mar. 2026

Laboratory studies have shown that sleep deprivation causes impairments in judgment, according to the expert. —Angelica Stabile, FOXNews.com, 22 Mar. 2026

The first season’s view of the deprivations of reality TV captured the apocalyptic feeling of Hollywood in the early aughts, the sense that reality, cheaper to film than a standard network show, would mean the end of jobs. —Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see deprive

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deprivation

• androgen deprivation therapy
• self-deprivation
• sensory deprivation

Rhymes for deprivation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Medical Definition

deprivation

noun

de·​pri·​va·​tion ˌdep-rə-ˈvā-shən  ˌdē-ˌprī- 

: the act or process of removing or the condition resulting from removal of something normally present and usually essential for mental or physical well-being

his nervous system may have been affected by early oxygen deprivation

—Jack Fincher

sleep deprivation