If the government spends more than it takes in over the course of one year, then it has run a deficit. A deficit applies to just one year. When the government runs a deficit, then it must borrow money to make up the difference. When the government runs a deficit, then it must borrow money to make up the difference. A debt is completely different. Think of debt as accumulated deficits. If the government has to borrow money every year, then its debt will continue to grow year-after-year. This debt does not disappear unless the government elects to try and pay it down (rare occurrence). The debt usually grows year-after-year. With each additional deficit, the debt continues to grow. The US government is expected to run a trillion dollar plus deficit this year. This is in additional to the debt that the federal government has already accumulated since its inception.
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