deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē 
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being defective or of lacking some necessary quality or element : the quality or state of being deficient : inadequacy
suffers from a deficiency of critical thinking
2
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate : shortage
staffing deficiencies
: such as
a
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
a vitamin C deficiency
hormone deficiencies
b
genetics
: deletion sense 2b(1)
Examples of deficiency in a Sentence
The disease may be caused by nutritional deficiencies.
The book's major deficiency is its poor plot.
a deficiency of vitamin C
There are several deficiencies in his plan.
The accident was caused by deficiencies in the engine.
Recent Examples on the Web
Getting backed down by Dončić was only one piece of an embarrassing bloodbath for the Bulls that highlighted every facet of this team’s defensive deficiencies.
—
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Some compounders claim adding B12 to a GLP-1 may help address fatigue, particularly in people with a vitamin deficiency.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Four years later, Watson approached free agency with an eye toward helping address the Rams’ deficiencies.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways About 14% of people developed a vitamin D deficiency after one year of taking a GLP-1 medication.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
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Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 13 Mar. 2026
Some compounders claim adding B12 to a GLP-1 may help address fatigue, particularly in people with a vitamin deficiency.
—Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 13 Mar. 2026
Four years later, Watson approached free agency with an eye toward helping address the Rams’ deficiencies.
—ABC News, 12 Mar. 2026
Key Takeaways About 14% of people developed a vitamin D deficiency after one year of taking a GLP-1 medication.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 12 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being deficient
2
: the quality or state of being inadequate
especially
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
Medical Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: a shortage of substances (as vitamins) necessary to health
2
: deletion
Legal Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē
plural deficiencies
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate: as
a
: the difference between the amount of tax owed and the amount of tax paid
b
: the difference between the amount owed under a security agreement and the amount the creditor is able to recover upon default of the debtor by selling the collateral
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