deficit Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required
    shortfall; shortage.
    • new blood vessels bud out from the already dilated vascular bed to make up the nutritional deficit
  2. noun a deficiency or failure in neurological or mental functioning
    • the people concerned have a deficit in verbal memory
    • they have serious linguistic deficits
  3. noun (sports) the score by which a team or individual is losing
  4. noun an excess of liabilities over assets (usually over a certain period)
    • last year there was a serious budgetary deficit

WordNet

Def"i*cit noun
Etymology
Lit., it is wanting, 3d person pres. indic. of L. deficere, cf. F. déficit. See Defect.
Definitions
  1. Deficiency in amount or quality; a falling short; lack; as, a deficit in taxes, revenue, etc. Addison.

Webster 1913