wastage

American  

[wey-stij] / ˈweɪ stɪdʒ /

noun

1. loss by use, wear, decay, etc.

2. loss or losses as the result of wastefulness.

   The annual wastage of time due to illness is appalling.

3. the action or process of wasting.

   the steady wastage of erosion.

4. something that is wasted or waste materials.

   The river was befouled by factory wastage.

---

wastage British  

/ ˈweɪstɪdʒ /

noun

1. anything lost by wear or waste

2. the process of wasting

3. reduction in size of a workforce by retirement, voluntary resignation, etc (esp in the phrase natural wastage )

---

Usage

Waste and wastage are to some extent interchangeable, but many people think that wastage should not be used to refer to loss resulting from human carelessness, inefficiency, etc: a waste (not a wastage ) of time/money/effort etc

Etymology

Origin of wastage

First recorded in 1750–60; waste + -age

Example Sentences

There was the Timeout Wastage Fiasco, and the Non-Call Incident, and meantime Lawrence Tynes’ field goals were scraping paint off the goal posts — albeit the inside of the goal posts.

From Washington Post • Feb. 6, 2012

Wastage like that leaves a bitter taste, but there's no such wastage in amateur films, generally because they have nothing to waste.

From The Guardian • May 26, 2010

Wastage of German man power was an outstanding feature of recent engagements on the French front.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume VII (of VIII) American Food and Ships; Palestine; Italy invaded; Great German Offensive; Americans in Picardy; Americans on the Marne; Foch's Counteroffensive. by Various

Wastage and brush have been carefully burned up during snowfall.

From Through Our Unknown Southwest by Laut, Agnes C. (Agnes Christina)

Wastage of Child Life, as exemplified by Conditions in Lancashire.

From The History of the Fabian Society by Pease, Edward R.

Related Words

• diffusion