federal deficit
noun[C]
FINANCE,GOVERNMENT,ECONOMICSukustheamountby which the US government'sspendingisbiggerthan themoneyit gets fromtaxesin aparticularyear:
The CongressionalBudgetOfficeprojectsthis year'sfederaldeficitat around $172billion.
eliminate/reduce/add to the federal deficitSenateDemocratspledgedtopayfor newtaxcutsorprogramsratherthanaddto thefederaldeficit.