spoilage

[spoi-lij]

noun

1. the act of spoiling or the state of being spoiled.

2. material or the amount of material that is spoiled or wasted.

   The spoilage in today's shipment is much too great.

3. the decay of foodstuffs due to the action of bacteria; rotting.

   He was concerned about the spoilage of fruit on the way to market.

spoilage

/ ˈspɔɪlɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of spoiling or the state or condition of being spoilt

2. an amount of material that has been wasted by being spoilt

   the spoilage of corn was considerable

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoilage¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; spoil + -age

Example Sentences

It was an effort to get rid of her bountiful supply of courgettes before they succumbed to spoilage.

From Salon

She added that perishable crops, including strawberries, lettuce, and dairy, face immediate peril because “trade disruptions can mean spoilage, financial losses and long-term lost market share that was earned over decades.”

From Los Angeles Times

Food spoilage isn’t as simple as picking a day, Murray said, but labels should be considered when checking if your groceries are still good or need to be tossed.

From Los Angeles Times

Before consuming, inspect all food for any signs of spoilage, and discard any canned goods that appear swollen, dented or corroded.

From Salon

Fermentation, which is the basis of soy sauce production, is a technology that controls spoilage.

From Salon