# deportation

/ˌdipɔɹˈteɪʃən/ (US) · /dɪpɔːtˈeɪʃən/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deportation
Updated: 2026-05-03

## Definition

the act of forcing a person to leave a country, usually because they do not have the legal right to stay there.

For teachers: the formal removal of a foreign national from a country for reasons such as illegal entry, visa expiration, or criminal activity.

## Examples

- The government ordered his deportation after his visa expired.
- The lawyer filed an emergency appeal to stop the deportation of the family until their asylum case was heard.
- International human rights groups often monitor the deportation process to ensure that individuals are not returned to regions where they face immediate physical danger or political persecution.

## Usage notes

- Uncountable when referring to the general process or policy; countable when referring to specific instances or individual cases.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.