shortfall

noun short·fall \ ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl \

Updated on: 19 May 2018

Definition of shortfall

: a failure to come up to expectation or need

a budget shortfall

; also : the amount of such failure

a $2 million shortfall

See shortfall defined for English-language learners

Examples of shortfall in a Sentence

a shortfall in milk production

Recent Examples of shortfall from the Web

If there are shortfalls, go back to the drawing board: Reduce expenses, retire later and save more.

— robert powell, USA TODAY, "5 steps to ease your worries about money, health in retirement," 16 May 2018
The San Antonio Independent School District is eliminating at least 60 teaching positions in response to declining enrollment and an accompanying $31 million shortfall, with additional cuts likely.

— alia malik, San Antonio Express-News, "Facing budget shortfall, SAISD begins teacher layoffs," 9 May 2018
Organizers said that proposal, coupled with the increases in education funding gained through the budget, would be enough to fully restore the state's decade-long, $1 billion funding shortfall.

— ricardo cano, azcentral, "In aftermath of #RedForEd walkout, Arizona teachers vow to continue political activism," 6 May 2018
The shortfalls in vitamin D stretch across all age groups and ethnicities.

— katie parsons, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Many people lack Vitamin D — even in the Sunshine State," 3 May 2018
Paine College had a $10 million shortfall in 2014, court records show.

— eric stirgus, ajc, "Georgia colleges: Businessman gives Paine College $1 million," 3 May 2018
Every legislative cycle, the BND transfers its profits to the state’s general fund to cover budget shortfalls, making the effective interest rate closer to zero.

— david dayen, The New Republic, "How a pot crisis restarted a conversation about public banking in America," 27 Apr. 2018
It is expected that several million will be used to cover shortfalls in sales tax revenue.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County adds $7.3 million to budget by transferring unclaimed funds," 24 Apr. 2018
But the reports of supplier issues, along with reports last year of battery pack production shortfalls, suggest an interconnected array of challenges facing the carmaker.

— david z. morris, Fortune, "Tesla Parts Spotted Piled Outside San Jose Machine Shop," 14 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shortfall.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of shortfall

1895

in the meaning defined above

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SHORTFALL Defined for English Language Learners

shortfall

noun

Definition of shortfall for English Language Learners

: a failure to get what is expected or needed; also : the amount of such a failure

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See words that rhyme with shortfall Spanish Central: Translation of shortfall

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