wastage

English

Etymology

From waste +‎ -age.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈweɪstɪdʒ/
  • Audio (Southern England):(file)

Noun

wastage (countable and uncountable, plural wastages)

  1. (uncountable) The amount or proportion of something that is wasted or lost by deterioration or other natural process.
    The average wastage is 1.5% in the grocery department.
    • 2022, Sunita Varjani, Ashok Pandey, Mohammad Taherzadeh, Biomass, Biofuels, Biochemicals: Circular Bioeconomy:
      wastage from fruits and vegetables is estimated at 4.58%–15.88%
    • 2025 August 23, Jo Ellison, “The incredible bulk”, in FT Weekend, Life & Arts, page 19:
      Likewise, the menopause market is obsessed with muscle wastage, and the possibility that if women don't eat enough protein after the age of 40 their minds will go doolally and their bones will turn to dust.
  2. (uncountable) The periodical turnover of personnel in an organisation by death, retirement or resignation, as perceived by those aspiring to promotion or appointment in the organisation.
  3. (countable) Anything lost by wear or waste.
  4. (uncountable) Goods that are damaged, out of date, reduced, or generally unsaleable, which are destined to be thrown away and which are written off as a loss.
  5. (hunting, countable) The act of abandoning animal carcasses or parts, usually illegal.

Derived terms

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