shortage       
noun [ C ] uk/ˈʃɔː.tɪdʒ/ us/ˈʃɔːr.t̬ɪdʒ/
B2 缺乏,缺少
a situation in which there is not enough of something
  There's a shortage of food and shelter in the refugee camps. 难民营里缺少足够的食物和住处。 
 The long hot summer has led to serious water shortages. 这个夏天漫长而炎热,导致严重缺水。 
 Opposites: glut oversupplysurfeit 
Compare: deficitshortfall
 - More examples
 - The government's programme to grow cash crops for export is a double-edged sword because it has created a local food shortage.
 - There's a shortage of cheap housing in the region.
 - Schools nationwide are experiencing a shortage of teachers.
 - There's a shortage of cheap accommodation .
 - The government admitted that there was a petrol shortage, but warned people against panic buying.