national debt

American  

noun

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

---

national debt British  

noun

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

---

national debt Cultural  

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

---

Discover More

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

“Hamilton understood that if you put the national debt together, you create an America,” he says.

From The Wall Street Journal

He believes Beijing is keen to collect taxes "wherever it can" as it battles a housing market slump and growing national debt.

From BBC

In January of 2001, the Congressional Budget Office projected that the budget surpluses of President Bill Clinton’s second term would continue throughout the next decade, totaling $5.6 trillion and erasing the national debt.

From The Wall Street Journal

In an interview with local media, Takaichi said that Japan’s national debt level remains high and rejected the notion of “irresponsible bond issuance or tax cuts.”

From The Wall Street Journal

This, members of the administration contend, will further its goal of using public lands to fuel the economy and eliminate the national debt.

From Salon