shrinkage

noun

shrink·​age ˈshriŋ-kij 

 especially Southern  ˈsriŋ-

1

: the act or process of shrinking

2

a

: the loss in weight of livestock during shipment and in the process of preparing the meat for consumption

b

: the loss of goods especially by theft

inventory shrinkage

3

: the amount lost by shrinkage

Synonyms

• abatement
• decline
• decrease
• decrement
• dent
• depletion
• depression
• diminishment
• diminution
• drop
• drop-off
• fall
• falloff
• loss
• reduction
• step-down

Examples of shrinkage in a Sentence

The shrinkage in contributions is significant.

a shrinkage of 10 percent

the shrinkage of the polar ice caps

Recent Examples on the Web

Sudden weight loss can rapidly reduce facial fat, leading to changes such as skin shrinkage, sagging, and decreased elasticity. —Bruce Gil, Quartz, 9 Oct. 2024

The Lone Star State's central and eastern counties saw the most significant growth during this period, with often dramatic population shrinkage in western counties. —David Faris, Newsweek, 3 Nov. 2024

Obviously, there are myriad reasons for the malaise gripping the town — the lingering aftereffects of the pandemic, the industry-wide economic shrinkage, the labor unrest, the waves and waves of layoffs. —Mia Galuppo, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Oct. 2024

Those on treatment also experienced brain shrinkage, which is still poorly understood. —Byjennifer Couzin-Frankel, science.org, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

shrinkage

noun

shrink·​age ˈshriŋ-kij 

: the amount by which something shrinks or becomes less