deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpȯr-ˈtā-shən 

-pər-

1

: an act or instance of deporting

2

: the removal from a country of an alien whose presence is unlawful or prejudicial

Synonyms

• banishment
• displacement
• exile
• expatriation
• expulsion
• relegation

Examples of deportation in a Sentence

the deportation of the Jews from Spain in 1492

Recent Examples on the Web

President Donald Trump directs ICE to expand deportations in Democratic-run cities, including Chicago President Donald Trump directed federal immigration officials to prioritize deportations from Democratic-run cities yesterday. —Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2025

During his 2024 campaign, the sweeping deportations became his signature promise to voters. —Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 16 June 2025

For months, officials had set the stage for mass deportations in White House media briefings, X posts and Fox News hits. —Jenny Jarvie, Los Angeles Times, 15 June 2025

For over 187,000 Ukrainians here, this ruling which gave Ukrainian U.S. immigrations relief from deportation a ray of hope. —Andy J. Semotiuk, Forbes.com, 15 June 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for deportation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation

Legal Definition

deportation

noun

de·​por·​ta·​tion ˌdē-ˌpōr-ˈtā-shən 

: an act or instance of deporting

specifically : the removal from a country of an alien whose presence is illegal or detrimental to the public welfare compare exclusion