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)
Synonyms
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
Iron deficiency is also often an indication of another underlying health problem.
—
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Not getting enough B vitamins can lead to deficiencies, including anemia due to a lack of vitamin B6 or B12.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024
And miracles do happen, despite a deficiency of holiday spirit.
—Brian Josephs, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
What’s more, federal regulators were aware of significant deficiencies at three of Glenmark’s four other factories that have made drugs for the U.S. market, FDA records show.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficiency 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Not getting enough B vitamins can lead to deficiencies, including anemia due to a lack of vitamin B6 or B12.
—Lana Barhum, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024
And miracles do happen, despite a deficiency of holiday spirit.
—Brian Josephs, New York Times, 13 Dec. 2024
What’s more, federal regulators were aware of significant deficiencies at three of Glenmark’s four other factories that have made drugs for the U.S. market, FDA records show.
—Patricia Callahan, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deficiency
Dictionary Entries Near deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency. Accessed 26 Dec. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share