shrinkage

American  

[shring-kij] / ˈʃrɪŋ kɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act or fact of shrinking.

2. the amount or degree of shrinking.

3. reduction or depreciation in quantity, value, etc.

4. contraction of a fabric in finishing or washing.

5. the difference between the original weight of livestock and that after it has been prepared for marketing.

6. Commerce. loss of merchandise through breakage, pilferage, shoplifting, etc.

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shrinkage British  

/ ˈʃrɪŋkɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act or fact of shrinking

2. the amount by which anything decreases in size, value, weight, etc

3. the loss in body weight during shipment and preparation of livestock for marketing as meat

4. the loss of merchandise in a retail store through theft or damage

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Etymology

Origin of shrinkage

First recorded in 1790–1800; shrink + -age

Example Sentences

Economic data showed an increase in industrial output and less shrinkage in durable goods orders than expected.

From The Wall Street Journal

It helps reduce the effects of dihydrotestosterone, a hormone linked to follicle shrinkage, while also protecting hair follicle cells from premature cell death.

From Science Daily

Despite potential equity valuation shrinkage for software firms, Golub anticipates they will continue to repay lenders.

From Barron's

Importantly, the increased risk was not explained by overall brain shrinkage or damage to white matter.

From Science Daily

The results -- which tracked people across a wide age range -- reveal that the link between brain shrinkage and memory decline is not simple or linear.

From Science Daily

Related Words

• contraction
• depreciation
• diminution
• reduction
• shrinking