wastage

American  

[way-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.

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

wastage

The education minister ended the trial because not enough children were eating the fruit and it was leading to a lot of wastage.

From BBC ● Oct. 17, 2026

But when it does, the results are disastrous and can cost the company millions of euros in wastage, said Manuel Reman, member of the Moët Hennessy Executive Committee, overseeing R&D.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

It also turns out a lot of wastage comes from using generative AI or agents for things that they’re simply not needed for.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 16, 2026

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

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

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