shortfall

noun

short·​fall ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl How to pronounce shortfall (audio)
: a failure to come up to expectation or need
a budget shortfall
also : the amount of such failure
a $2 million shortfall

Examples of shortfall in a Sentence

a shortfall in milk production
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.
With that new expense, the Gophers have forecast a roughly $9 million budget shortfall for this fiscal year. Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 12 Sep. 2025 Questions also remain about the fate of Bay Area transit agencies, which are facing budget shortfalls and serious service reductions if unaddressed. Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 The new analysis was prompted by a city audit late last year that found officials have been underestimating San Diego’s infrastructure funding shortfall by about $1 billion by ignoring hundreds of minor maintenance needs. David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 12 Sep. 2025 Due to funding shortfalls and the size of the project it was not dedicated in New York until October 28, 1886. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 12 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for shortfall

Word History

First Known Use

1895, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortfall was in 1895

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Cite this Entry

“Shortfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortfall. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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