shortage /; AmE / noun [C,U]

a situation when there is not enough of the people or things that are needed:

a shortage of funds/space

There are serious labour shortages in some sectors.

There was no shortage of candidates

(= there were a lot) for the post.

OPP GLUT ⇨ SURPLUS

an acute/a chronic/critical/serious/severe shortage

◆ a cash/parts/supply shortage

◆ labour/skills/staff/talent shortages

◆ to face/suffer a shortage

◆ to cause/create/lead to a shortage

◆ to combat/ease/overcome/prevent a shortage

• industrial and organizational psychology
• industrial conflict
• industrial control
• industrial democracy
• industrial design
• industrial dispute
• industrial economics
• industrial engineering
• industrial estate
• industrial goods
• industrial hygiene
• industrialist
• industrialize
• industrial marketing
• industrial production
• industrial relations
• industrial-strength
• industrial unrest
• industrious
• industry
• industry association
• industry bargaining
• industry leader
• industrywide
• inefficiency