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 of shrinkage

• decrease
• reduction
• dent
• decline
• drop

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

After a turn in the washing machine, there were no signs of pilling or shrinkage. —Kevin Gray, Travel + Leisure, 18 Dec. 2025

At high voltages, layered cathode materials can undergo sudden shrinkage along one crystallographic direction, known as the c-lattice parameter. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 17 Dec. 2025

This will protect the wool fibers from shrinkage and excessive agitation. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 14 Dec. 2025

Immediately drop spoonfuls of meringue onto hot pie filling, and carefully spread meringue to cover top completely, spreading to edge of crust to prevent shrinkage or weeping. —Kelly Brant, Arkansas Online, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for shrinkage

• linkage

Kids Definition

shrinkage

noun

shrink·​age ˈshriŋ-kij 

: the amount by which something shrinks or becomes less