scarcity

Scarcity refers to a state of something being in short supply. (noun)

An example of scarcity is when there is only a tiny amount of a crop produced because of drought and there is not enough to feed the whole town.

See scarcity in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. scarcities

See scarcity in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(skârˈsĭ-tē)

noun pl. scar·ci·ties

Insufficiency of amount or supply; shortage: a scarcity of food that was caused by drought.
Rarity of appearance or occurrence: antiques that are valued for their scarcity.

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» scarcity synonyms

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