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

By extension, “the funds” referred to the British national debt, the total amount of government securities outstanding—the base of the nation’s finances.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026

However, there haven’t been great improvements in the annual budget deficit and the national debt.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

However, there haven’t been great improvements in the annual budget deficit and the national debt.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Sweden’s national debt office will auction a combined 8 billion Swedish kronor in June 2032- and October 2036-dated government bonds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 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