national debt

NOUN

money owed by country

Synonyms

WEAK

budget deficit funded debt government debt public debt

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It goes on defense, interest on the national debt, healthcare for veterans, and defense.

From MarketWatch • May 28, 2026

Massie is a throwback libertarian who, in lieu of the standard lawmaker flag pin, wears on his lapel a national debt clock that he programmed himself.

From Slate • May 19, 2026

The official U.S. national debt is now equal to 100% of annual gross domestic product and is expected to rise to 120% by 2036.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

“This marks the first month in which the national debt has exceeded GDP since the pandemic,” Vail Hartman, strategist at BMO Capital Markets writes.

From Barron's • May 5, 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