lossy

adjective

\ ˈlȯ-sē

Definition of lossy

1 : involving or causing some loss of data Lossy compression is a way of getting even smaller squeezed files than lossless. This technology strips out data it has been programmed to regard as either unnecessary or redundant.— Ron Goldberg The loss was literal: MP3 is what's called a "lossy" data-compression form of audio encoding; some audio information is demonstrably lost in the process.— Virginia Heffernan

2 : causing attenuation or dissipation of electrical energy a lossy transmission line a lossy dielectric

Examples of lossy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Users will also have to option to switch from lossless to a lossy 24-bit 96kHz setting. — Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 1 Sep. 2021 Those services charge about double their normal lossy tier subscription rate at $19.99. — Bobby Owsinski, Forbes, 9 May 2021 The crux of lossless versus lossy music is human hearing. — Tyler Hayes, Wired, 17 Apr. 2021 Furthermore, any remaining Pixel 1 owners will continue to enjoy unlimited ‘Original Quality’ uploads, which avoid Google’s 16-megapixel limit and lossy compression algorithms. — Paul Monckton, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2021 To put that number into perspective, CDs have a bitrate of 1,411 kbps, which obviously retains much more of the original recording information when compared to a lossy MP3. — Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2021 There are plenty of ways, from cutting out or freezing frames, messing with transparency, cutting the resolution, choosing a smaller color palette, or mixing a few different forms of visible and lossy compression techniques. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, 30 Oct. 2019 There are plenty of ways, from cutting out or freezing frames, messing with transparency, cutting the resolution, choosing a smaller color palette, or mixing a few different forms of visible and lossy compression techniques. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, 30 Oct. 2019 There are plenty of ways, from cutting out or freezing frames, messing with transparency, cutting the resolution, choosing a smaller color palette, or mixing a few different forms of visible and lossy compression techniques. — Eric Limer, Popular Mechanics, 30 Oct. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lossy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.