national debt

noun

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

national debt

noun

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

national debt

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

Notes

A large national debt can inhibit growth and drive up interest rates .

Word History and Origins

Origin of national debt¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

As political scientist Sarah Kreps has written, we used to finance wars via taxes, but today, we finance wars by adding to the national debt.

From FiveThirtyEight

When politicians discuss the national debt, the conversation usually centers on raising taxes or cutting spending.

From Time

He pledged to eliminate the national debt within eight years but, after four, expanded it by one of the highest rates in history.

From Washington Post

He didn't argue that it would hurt the economy, or get wasted, or penalize today's toddler once they had to confront the national debt.

From Washington Post

While Sanders has declared some concern about a national debt that has soared past $20 trillion, his greater worry is about an American underclass that the federal government is failing to help.

From Washington Post

Yes, gridlock frustration and national debt nausea are understandable.

From The Daily Beast

He says he plans to focus on the national debt and budget issues, government and tax reform.

From The Daily Beast

Twitter, like the national debt or Lindsay Lohans's sobriety, is in a constant state of flux.

From The Daily Beast

The biggest chunk of that goes to pay interest on the national debt.

From The Daily Beast

But two failed wars and a massive national debt have made their ultra-expensive, ultra-bloody foreign policy vision untenable.

From The Daily Beast

Reduction of national debt, whatever arrangements may be made for it, can only be effected by taxation.

From Project Gutenberg

And the check; it did not resemble in size the national debt, as dinner checks usually do in America.

From Project Gutenberg

Will not the national debt itself be the means, at least a temptation to continue, if not increase the luxury?

From Project Gutenberg

To raise such a sum seemed as impossible to poor Judith as to pay the National Debt.

From Project Gutenberg

Though the war had added a hundred millions to the national debt, the burden was hardly felt.

From Project Gutenberg