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
Cite this Entry
“Deficit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficit. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.
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