deficit
nounUK /ˈdɛfɪsɪt/ · US /ˈdɛfəsɪt/
Etymology From French déficit, from Latin dēficit. Related to defect.
1
Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack.
- The crop output this year has been comparatively small, owing to the deficit in rainfall.
2
A situation wherein, or amount whereby, spending exceeds (e.g. government) revenue.
- Dr. Beeching's obvious intent is that if Scottish—and similarly unprofitable English and Welsh—railways are to be maintained, it must be done by an unconcealed subsidy; he is determined that the railways shall no longer be preoccupied with—and derided for—immense deficits which include the burden of social services the State must openly underwrite, if it wants them.1962 October, “Talking of Trains: Passed to you, Mr. Macmillan”, in Modern Railways, page 220:
- But Wall Street, which has a case of deficit-attention disorder, is no longer focused on a balanced budget. "The bond market only worries about one thing at [a time.]1996 August 4, “It's Time for a Reality Check on the Deficit”, in Contra Costa Times, Contra Costa, CA:
1 more example
- Economically, too, London is startlingly different. The capital, unlike the country as a whole, has no budget deficit: London’s public spending matches the taxes paid in the city. The average Londoner contributes 70 percent more to Britain’s national income than people in the rest of the country.2013 September 28, Kenan Malik, “London Is Special, but Not That Special”, in New York Times, retrieved 28 Sep 2013:
- Synonyms
- fiscal deficit, shortfall
- Antonyms
- surplus
- Derived terms
- antideficit, attention deficit disorder, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, budget deficit, caloric deficit, calorie deficit, deficit good, deficit hawk, deficit spending, democratic deficit, fiscal deficit, information deficit model, nature-deficit disorder, nature deficit disorder, negative deficit, neurodeficit, neuroleptic-induced deficit syndrome, nondeficit, oxygen deficit, sleep deficit, soil moisture deficit, structural deficit, trade deficit