deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē 
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being defective or of lacking some necessary quality or element : the quality or state of being deficient : inadequacy
suffers from a deficiency of critical thinking
2
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate : shortage
staffing deficiencies
: such as
a
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
a vitamin C deficiency
hormone deficiencies
b
genetics
: deletion sense 2b(1)
Examples of deficiency in a Sentence
The disease may be caused by nutritional deficiencies.
The book's major deficiency is its poor plot.
a deficiency of vitamin C
There are several deficiencies in his plan.
The accident was caused by deficiencies in the engine.
Recent Examples on the Web
That deficiency intensified now that Brown is heading to Jacksonville on a one-year deal, according to a team source.
—
Ben Standig, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
According to a 2023 study, 35% of adults in the US are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, and that can lead to a number of issues (poor immune system, risk of certain cancers, and liver and kidney disease, to name just a few).
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
While deficiency is rare, many adults aren’t consuming enough to reap the health benefits.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Specific vitamins like biotin, iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 are essential for nail growth, adds Dr. Patel, and deficiencies can not only lead to slow-growing nails, but also brittle or ridged ones.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
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Ben Standig, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
According to a 2023 study, 35% of adults in the US are suffering from a vitamin D deficiency, and that can lead to a number of issues (poor immune system, risk of certain cancers, and liver and kidney disease, to name just a few).
—Audrey Noble, Vogue, 11 Apr. 2025
While deficiency is rare, many adults aren’t consuming enough to reap the health benefits.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2025
Specific vitamins like biotin, iron, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 are essential for nail growth, adds Dr. Patel, and deficiencies can not only lead to slow-growing nails, but also brittle or ridged ones.
—Catharine Malzahn, Glamour, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being deficient
2
: the quality or state of being inadequate
especially
: a shortage of substances necessary to health
Medical Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural deficiencies
1
: a shortage of substances (as vitamins) necessary to health
2
: deletion
Legal Definition
deficiency
noun
de·fi·cien·cy
di-ˈfi-shən-sē
plural deficiencies
: an amount that is lacking or inadequate: as
a
: the difference between the amount of tax owed and the amount of tax paid
b
: the difference between the amount owed under a security agreement and the amount the creditor is able to recover upon default of the debtor by selling the collateral
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