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Synonyms

pilferage

American  
[pil-fer-ij] / ˈpɪl fər ɪdʒ /

noun

  1. the act or practice of pilfering; petty theft.

  2. something that is pilfered.

pilferage British  
/ ˈpɪlfərɪdʒ /

noun

  1. the act or practice of stealing small quantities or articles

  2. the amount so stolen

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of pilferage

First recorded in 1620–30; pilfer + -age

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Pilferage is so pervasive that not even the increasing use of sealed metal containers the size of 20-ft. truck trailers stops it.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pilferage runs only about $30 per month per outlet, a percentage of sales far below the average for all retailing.

From Time Magazine Archive

Pilferage was so widespread that Bateson officials complained the union was "stealing us blind."

From Time Magazine Archive

Pilferage soon shot up over 1% of gross sales, took half of food retailing's narrow profit.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.