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
Also of note is the high dose of 4,000 IU vitamin D, which experts agree is safe and may help to prevent and correct vitamin D deficiencies in pregnant women.
—
Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2024
Additional detail on specific complaints is not available unless deficiencies are found.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Apparently in response, the U.S. Chess Federation convened a committee to correct these deficiencies, and in 1960 adopted a system devised by a Hungarian American chess master and physics professor named Arpad Elo.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
Such an approach has the downside of being an implicit promise to correct any deficiencies — and lacks the simplicity of swapping out the rug before her next visit.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
The filing does include several risk factors that aren’t directly related to Trump, including competition from other social media companies, deficiencies in bookkeeping and accounting, and data privacy laws.
—William Turton, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Muscle fiber loss, also known as sarcopenia, usually starts to happen after age 30.7 While there are many contributing factors for muscle loss due to aging—hormonal changes, nutrition deficiencies, and chronic illnesses—the biggest cause of muscle loss is inactivity.
—Tiffany Ayuda, Health, 13 Apr. 2024
Enzyme supplements such as amylase (for carbohydrates), protease (for proteins), and lipase (for fats) can aid in digestion and reduce symptoms of bloating, gas, and indigestion, especially for individuals with enzyme deficiencies or digestive disorders.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
If people mention memory trouble, doctors must rule out reversible causes like thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, medication issues or depression, Kulshreshtha said.
—Tom Murphy, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
Sarah Anzlovar, Ms, Verywell Health, 23 Apr. 2024
Additional detail on specific complaints is not available unless deficiencies are found.
—Paul Sisson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2024
Apparently in response, the U.S. Chess Federation convened a committee to correct these deficiencies, and in 1960 adopted a system devised by a Hungarian American chess master and physics professor named Arpad Elo.
—Jacob Stern, The Atlantic, 19 Apr. 2024
Such an approach has the downside of being an implicit promise to correct any deficiencies — and lacks the simplicity of swapping out the rug before her next visit.
—Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2024
The filing does include several risk factors that aren’t directly related to Trump, including competition from other social media companies, deficiencies in bookkeeping and accounting, and data privacy laws.
—William Turton, WIRED, 15 Apr. 2024
Muscle fiber loss, also known as sarcopenia, usually starts to happen after age 30.7 While there are many contributing factors for muscle loss due to aging—hormonal changes, nutrition deficiencies, and chronic illnesses—the biggest cause of muscle loss is inactivity.
—Tiffany Ayuda, Health, 13 Apr. 2024
Enzyme supplements such as amylase (for carbohydrates), protease (for proteins), and lipase (for fats) can aid in digestion and reduce symptoms of bloating, gas, and indigestion, especially for individuals with enzyme deficiencies or digestive disorders.
—Marilyn La Jeunesse, Glamour, 12 Apr. 2024
If people mention memory trouble, doctors must rule out reversible causes like thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, medication issues or depression, Kulshreshtha said.
—Tom Murphy, Quartz, 12 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deficiency.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near deficiency
Cite this Entry
“Deficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deficiency. Accessed 3 May. 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
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