deprivation

[dep-ruh-vey-shuhn]

noun

1. the act of depriving.

2. the fact of being deprived. deprive.

3. dispossession; loss.

4. removal from ecclesiastical office.

5. privation.

deprivation

/ ˌdɛprɪˈveɪʃən /

noun

1. an act or instance of depriving

2. the state of being deprived

   social deprivation

   a cycle of deprivation and violence

Other Word Forms

• nondeprivation noun
• predeprivation noun
• self-deprivation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deprivation¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Medieval Latin dēprīvātiōn-, stem of dēprīvātiō, from dēprīvāt(us) “deprived” (past participle of dēprīvāre “to deprive”; deprive ) + -iō -ion

Example Sentences

As somebody who has spent years in prison, he said he can weather the deprivations.

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Over the past week, the BBC has visited the county to speak with organisations working to reduce rural poverty and deprivation.

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He says perimenopausal brain fog could have a similar impact to sleep deprivation, something he has researched extensively, finding that high doses of creatine could mitigate the effects of too little sleep.

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Ferguson Marine employs about 300 workers and apprentices in an area which has high levels of deprivation.

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The link between deprivation and poor health was highlighted by The Muslim Council of Britain as part of its own 2025 Census report.

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Related Words

• destitution 
• hardship 
• privation