deficit

UK: /ˈdɛfəsɪt/

US: /ˈdɛfəsɪt/

US: (def′ə sit; Brit. also di fis′it)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

def•i•cit /ˈdɛfəsɪt/   n. [countable]

1. the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount.
2. a loss, such as in the operation of a business.
3. Business the amount by which spending exceeds income:
   the staggering amount of the Federal deficit.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

def•i•cit  (def′ə sit; Brit. also di fis′it), n. 

1. the amount by which a sum of money falls short of the required amount.
2. Business the amount by which expenditures or liabilities exceed income or assets.
3. a lack or shortage;
   deficiency.
4. a disadvantage, impairment, or handicap:
   The team's major deficit is its poor pitching.
5. a loss, as in the operation of a business.

• Latin dēficit (it) lacks, 3rd pers. singular present indicative of dēficere; see deficient
• 1775–85

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

deficit / ˈdɛfɪsɪt dɪˈfɪsɪt/ noun

1. the amount by which an actual sum is lower than that expected or required
2. an excess of liabilities over assets
3. an excess of expenditures over revenues during a certain period

Etymology: 18th Century: from Latin, literally: there is lacking, from dēficere to be lacking