shortfall

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noun short·fall \ˈshȯrt-ˌfȯl\

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

Russia’s most powerful oil boss said output curbs by OPEC and its partners probably won’t succeed over the long term as U.S. shale fills the supply shortfall.

— jessica summers, Bloomberg.com, "Oil Posts Biggest Weekly Loss in a Month as Rebalancing Drags", 2 June 2017
Germany's environment minister, Barbara Hendricks, told reporters in Berlin that other countries will fill the leadership vacuum but none will be expected to make up the shortfall in emissions reductions caused by Washington's exit.

— The Christian Science Monitor, "Trump's Paris pullout sparks protests and new climate pledges around the world", 2 June 2017
A new tourist tax collection agreement between Broward and Airbnb, the alternative accommodations bookings website, could help offset some of the bed tax revenue shortfall during the rest of the year.

— arlene satchell, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Tourist tax collections dip in Broward County for first half of fiscal 2017", 2 June 2017
The committee also decided to spend $206 million the House had intended to set aside to deal with midyear budget shortfalls -- which could set off a political battle between the two chambers in the Legislature.

— julia o'donoghue, NOLA.com, "Louisiana Senate committee funds TOPS, reduces mental health funding in state budget", 1 June 2017
After Santelises announced in December that the district faced a $130 million budget shortfall, teachers, parents and students held rallies outside City Hall in Baltimore and the State House in Annapolis to get more money.

— tim prudente, baltimoresun.com, "Baltimore teachers to be notified of layoffs in district-wide meetings Thursday", 1 June 2017
Sheldon's departure is clouded by an ongoing ethics probe into contracts that benefited some of his Florida associates, as well as several high-profile child fatalities that highlighted investigative shortfalls at the troubled agency.

— david jackson, chicagotribune.com, "Head of DCFS resigns amid ethics probe, child deaths", 31 May 2017
Digital ad growth has not been enough to make up the shortfall.

— tali arbel | ap, Washington Post, "Among the job cuts at The New York Times, the public editor", 31 May 2017
Lawmakers are facing budget shortfalls and are working to increase spending for schools in an effort to please the Kansas Supreme Court.

— hunter woodall, kansascity, "Brownback tax cuts survive after Kansas House rejects Senate move to dismantle them", 30 May 2017

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.

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