shortage

noun

short·​age ˈshȯr-tij How to pronounce shortage (audio)

Examples of shortage in a Sentence

there was a troubling shortage of supplies for the troops overseas this year
Recent Examples on the Web But Sunak faced an immediate backlash over fears the tougher rules would exacerbate economic headwinds caused by staff shortages and inflation. Kitty Donaldson, Fortune Europe, 5 Dec. 2023 The stock got hammered by rising interest rates and labor shortages when the economy snapped back from pandemic lockdowns. Joe Wallace, WSJ, 4 Dec. 2023 Millennials have long struggled to own a home amid a national housing shortage and recent sky-high interest rates, while boomers had an easier time. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 3 Dec. 2023 Several thousand workers repatriated to Gaza during this past week’s cease-fire; today more than 4,000 Gazans remain stranded in shelters and hotels, separated from family members navigating missile strikes, food shortages, and damaged or destroyed homes as the war resumes. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Dec. 2023 The Weeknd has directed $2.5 million, via his XO Humanitarian Fund, to pay for four million emergency meals for Gazans facing food shortages and starvation due to the Israel-Hamas war. Madison Bloom, Pitchfork, 1 Dec. 2023 But due to shortages, many of them have been unable to access them. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023 Israeli strikes and ground operations have destroyed much of Gaza’s agricultural land as the winter season begins, compounding shortages and leaving the population of 2.3 million people with little prospect of being able to feed itself in the months to come. Hajar Harb, Washington Post, 30 Nov. 2023 Airlines and airports were still adapting to Covid-19 recovery and ramping-up operations while facing staff shortages and stretched aviation infrastructure. Marisa Garcia, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'shortage.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of shortage was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near shortage

Cite this Entry

“Shortage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shortage. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

shortage

noun
short·​age ˈshȯrt-ij How to pronounce shortage (audio)
: a lack in the amount needed : deficit
a shortage of cash
a gasoline shortage

More from Merriam-Webster on shortage

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