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: waste.

   the steady wastage of erosion.

4. something that is wasted; waste; waste or waste materials.

   The river was befouled by factory wastage.

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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 )

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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

Japan's Consumer Affairs Agency has told McDonald's it must improve its sales strategy and take steps to improve food wastage.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2025

And there is always turnover, natural wastage as a human resources director might put it, at every election.

From BBC • Mar. 27, 2024

This may be to prevent the onset of significant muscular wastage in bears during hibernation.

From Science Daily • Feb. 20, 2024

Typically seen in period and older homes, single-glazed windows can be a substantial contributor to energy wastage.

From National Geographic • Oct. 2, 2023

There was no wastage whatever; the hens and ducks with their sharp eyes had gathered up the very last stalk.

From "Animal Farm: A Fairy Story" by George Orwell

Related Words

• diffusion