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
Risk of nutrient deficiencies: Using powders instead of whole foods may result in nutrient deficiencies.
—
Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 12 June 2025
How pellagra ravaged northern Italy Pellagra is a severe systemic disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B3, or niacin.
—Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
What surprised Melissa most was the volume of women confessing to cravings for nonfood items, such as clay, dirt, and plaster—a condition known as pica, which can indicate nutritional deficiencies, especially in pregnancy.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
European drug regulators began urging oncologists to test patients for deficiency in May 2020.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 12 June 2025
How pellagra ravaged northern Italy Pellagra is a severe systemic disease caused by a deficiency of vitamin B3, or niacin.
—Asia London Palomba, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 June 2025
What surprised Melissa most was the volume of women confessing to cravings for nonfood items, such as clay, dirt, and plaster—a condition known as pica, which can indicate nutritional deficiencies, especially in pregnancy.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 5 June 2025
European drug regulators began urging oncologists to test patients for deficiency in May 2020.
—Arthur Allen, Miami Herald, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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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