loss leader

noun

: something (such as merchandise) sold at a loss in order to draw customers
loss-leader adjective

Examples of loss leader in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Additionally retailers often use turkeys as a loss leader this time of year to get consumers into their stores to buy the rest of the meal, discounting or even giving them away for free. Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 27 Nov. 2024 Along with the drivers and cars being literal billboards for a range of brands, F1 is often a loss leader for car manufacturers that want to wow elite customers. Diane Brady, Fortune, 25 Nov. 2024 That would suggest Thanksgiving turkey is a loss leader. Mark Dent, thehustle.co, 15 Nov. 2024 There’s one other point to the Chromebook Pixel—that’s as a loss leader to draw people into a Google store. IEEE Spectrum, 22 Feb. 2013 See all Example Sentences for loss leader 

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loss leader was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near loss leader

Cite this Entry

“Loss leader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20leader. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

loss leader

noun
loss lead·​er
: something (as merchandise) sold at a loss in order to draw customers
loss-leader adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!