is deficit the same as debt
A deficit applies to just one year. So, if the government takes in $10 trillion dollars but spends $13 trillion dollars in one year, then it has run a $3 trillion dollar deficit. 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).