national debt

American  

noun

1. the financial obligations of a national government resulting from deficit spending.

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national debt British  

noun

1. Also called (esp US): public debt.  the total outstanding borrowings of a nation's central government

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national debt Cultural  

1. The debt of the government; the amount of borrowing by the government to meet expenditures exceeding tax revenues.

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A large national debt can inhibit growth and drive up interest rates.

Etymology

Origin of national debt

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

It goes on defense, interest on the national debt, healthcare for veterans, and defense.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

Massie is a throwback libertarian who, in lieu of the standard lawmaker flag pin, wears on his lapel a national debt clock that he programmed himself.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

The Congressional Budget Office predicts the official U.S. national debt will rise 20% by the end of 2028, to $36 trillion.

From MarketWatch • May 12, 2026

The weighted average interest rate on national debt is 3.33%, up from 1.6% in 2022, with March’s net interest payment at $103 billion.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

A reasonable estimate of the additional costs for capitalizing a gradual emancipation program would have increased the national debt to about $125 million.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis