insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient: such as
a
: lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence
the insufficiency of this person for public office
b
: lack of adequate supply
insufficiency of provisions
c
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially
: inability of an organ or body part to function normally
renal insufficiency
2
: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations
Examples of insufficiency in a Sentence
dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket
her alleged insufficiency for the job
Recent Examples on the Web
Chronic venous insufficiency occurs when the valves in your leg veins don't work properly.
—
Scott Sundick, Health, 24 July 2025
Ultrasound exams of the leg veins can help confirm chronic venous insufficiency.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 18 July 2025
In addition to advanced age, other risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency include a family history of varicose veins, tobacco use and obesity.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 18 July 2025
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a disease of the vessels that carry blood back to the heart from elsewhere in the body.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
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Scott Sundick, Health, 24 July 2025
Ultrasound exams of the leg veins can help confirm chronic venous insufficiency.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 18 July 2025
In addition to advanced age, other risk factors for chronic venous insufficiency include a family history of varicose veins, tobacco use and obesity.
—Joey Garrison, USA Today, 18 July 2025
President Donald Trump has been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a disease of the vessels that carry blood back to the heart from elsewhere in the body.
—Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficiency. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient
2
: a lack of something : deficiency
Medical Definition
insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural insufficiencies
: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as
a
: lack of adequate supply of something
an insufficiency of vitamins
b
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially
: inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally
renal insufficiency
pulmonary insufficiency
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