slippage

American  

[slip-ij] / ˈslɪp ɪdʒ /

noun

1. an act or instance of slipping.

2. an amount or extent of slipping.

3. failure to maintain an expected level, fulfill a goal, meet a deadline, etc.; loss, decline, or delay; a falling off.

4. Machinery. the amount of work dissipated by slipping of parts, excess play, etc.

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slippage British  

/ ˈslɪpɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of slipping

2. the amount of slipping or the extent to which slipping occurs

3. 1. an instance of not reaching a norm, target, etc

   2. the extent of this

4. the power lost in a mechanical device or system as a result of slipping

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Etymology

Origin of slippage

First recorded in 1840–50; slip ¹ + -age

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

slippage

The team also found that when they experimentally improved chromosome separation in cells undergoing mitotic slippage, the cells became significantly more viable.

From Science Daily ● May 25, 2026

Screws with a cross-shaped head were shown to outperform those with a slotted head because a cross-shaped driver “sticks” inside without slippage.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 12, 2026

So, the jobs market had some slippage of momentum ahead of recent geopolitical events.

From Barron's ● Mar. 6, 2026

But if England can avoid the early scoreboard slippage that has afflicted them in the past matches and stick tight to the hosts, they may be rewarded.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026

Your case manifests a much more serious slippage.

From Next Door, Next World by Locke, Robert Donald