deficit
noun
def·i·cit
ˈde-fə-sət 
British also di-ˈfi-sət
or ˈdē-fə-sət
1
a(1)
: deficiency in amount or quality
a deficit in rainfall
(2)
: a lack or impairment in an ability or functional capacity
cognitive deficits
a hearing deficit
b
: disadvantage
scored two runs to overcome a 2–1 deficit
2
a
: an excess of expenditure over revenue
facing a deficit of $3 billion
raise taxes to help reduce the budget deficit
b
: a loss (see loss sense 4b) in business operations
the year's operating deficit
Examples of deficit in a Sentence
The government is facing a deficit of $3 billion.
We will reduce the federal budget deficit.
The team overcame a four-point deficit to win the game.
She has a slight hearing deficit in her left ear.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Indians erased an early 3-0 deficit with 3 runs in the second and 4 in the fourth.
—
Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Gilgeous-Alexander scored six straight points to cut the deficit to 97-96 and Jaylin Williams, who missed his first five shots, drained a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 99.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Brown, who scuffled as a shooter for most of the game, caught fire late with two 3-pointers and an and-one midrange jumper that cut Boston’s deficit to eight with just over a minute remaining.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
In the latter win, the Dodgers reversed a 2-0 sixth-inning deficit, scoring once in the sixth and then getting a clutch two-out, two-run home run from Will Smith in the bottom of the eighth to take a 3-2 lead.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
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Darren Lauber, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 1 Apr. 2026
Gilgeous-Alexander scored six straight points to cut the deficit to 97-96 and Jaylin Williams, who missed his first five shots, drained a corner 3-pointer to tie the game at 99.
—ABC News, 31 Mar. 2026
Brown, who scuffled as a shooter for most of the game, caught fire late with two 3-pointers and an and-one midrange jumper that cut Boston’s deficit to eight with just over a minute remaining.
—Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 31 Mar. 2026
In the latter win, the Dodgers reversed a 2-0 sixth-inning deficit, scoring once in the sixth and then getting a clutch two-out, two-run home run from Will Smith in the bottom of the eighth to take a 3-2 lead.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for deficit
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deficit
noun
def·i·cit
ˈdef-ə-sət
: a deficiency in amount
especially
: an excess of expenses over income
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