insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfi-shən(t)-sē 
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient: such as
a
: lack of mental or moral fitness : incompetence
the insufficiency of this person for public office
b
: lack of adequate supply
insufficiency of provisions
c
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially
: inability of an organ or body part to function normally
renal insufficiency
2
: something that is insufficient or falls short of expectations
Examples of insufficiency in a Sentence
dealt with the school's insufficiency of art supplies by buying materials out of her own pocket
her alleged insufficiency for the job
Recent Examples on the Web
The slight renal insufficiency the pope had in recent days has subsided and a Tuesday CAT scan of the chest showed a normal evolution of the pulmonary inflammatory picture.
—
Jon Haworth, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025
He was later diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and mild renal insufficiency, both of which appear to be under control, the Vatican says.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
By Monday evening, the Vatican announced that his lab results showed improvement and monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency hadn't prompted any fresh concerns.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
The mild kidney insufficiency detected days earlier has subsided, and for the first time, the Vatican disclosed that Francis is undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to help clear fluid from his lungs.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
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Jon Haworth, ABC News, 27 Feb. 2025
He was later diagnosed with a polymicrobial infection and mild renal insufficiency, both of which appear to be under control, the Vatican says.
—John Bacon, USA TODAY, 26 Feb. 2025
By Monday evening, the Vatican announced that his lab results showed improvement and monitoring of his mild kidney insufficiency hadn't prompted any fresh concerns.
—Willem Marx, NPR, 26 Feb. 2025
The mild kidney insufficiency detected days earlier has subsided, and for the first time, the Vatican disclosed that Francis is undergoing respiratory physiotherapy to help clear fluid from his lungs.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for insufficiency
Cite this Entry
“Insufficiency.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insufficiency. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural insufficiencies
1
: the quality or state of being insufficient
2
: a lack of something : deficiency
Medical Definition
insufficiency
noun
in·suf·fi·cien·cy
ˌin(t)-sə-ˈfish-ən-sē
plural insufficiencies
: the quality or state of not being sufficient: as
a
: lack of adequate supply of something
an insufficiency of vitamins
b
: lack of physical power or capacity
especially
: inability of an organ or bodily part to function normally
renal insufficiency
pulmonary insufficiency
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