shortage
n. countablen. a situation where there is not enough of something that people need. You use this when the supply of things like food, water, or workers is too low.
n. a state in which the quantity available of a specific resource or commodity is insufficient to meet demand. Often used in economic or logistical contexts to describe a deficit in supply.
The city is facing a serious water shortage this summer.
A sudden shortage of skilled nursing staff has forced the local hospital to delay several non-urgent surgeries.
Economists warn that the prolonged semiconductor shortage could stifle innovation across the automotive sector and lead to significant price hikes for consumers.
From short + -age.
Commonly followed by the preposition 'of' to specify the missing resource.
a shortage about fooda shortage of foodThe noun shortage takes the preposition 'of' to indicate what is lacking.