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
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
Using brain scans from a very large database, British researchers determined that during the pandemic years of 2021 and 2022, people’s brains showed signs of aging, including shrinkage, according to the report published in Nature Communications.
—
Linda Carroll, NBC news, 22 July 2025
The study released Thursday shows the sector’s worth was €1.5 trillion ($1.7 trillion) in 2024, though for Q1 of 2025 estimates are shrinkage of 3% compared to last year.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Dryers can also cause shrinkage or make the shoes uncomfortable to wear.
—Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025
Casey Johnston’s new book, A Physical Education, tells a before-and-after story, too—one not of shrinkage but of growth, physical and otherwise.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrinkage
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Linda Carroll, NBC news, 22 July 2025
The study released Thursday shows the sector’s worth was €1.5 trillion ($1.7 trillion) in 2024, though for Q1 of 2025 estimates are shrinkage of 3% compared to last year.
—Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 19 June 2025
Dryers can also cause shrinkage or make the shoes uncomfortable to wear.
—Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 May 2025
Casey Johnston’s new book, A Physical Education, tells a before-and-after story, too—one not of shrinkage but of growth, physical and otherwise.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrinkage
Cite this Entry
“Shrinkage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrinkage. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shrinkage
noun
shrink·age
ˈshriŋ-kij
: the amount by which something shrinks or becomes less
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