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

Below, laundry and fabric care experts share tips for how to wash linen, as well as tricks for preventing shrinkage and removing stains without stress. —Christina Pérez, Vogue, 31 May 2025

There’s been no shrinkage or signs of wear—the crocheted trim has even held up without wrinkling or pulling. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 29 May 2025

Exposing the wrong items to the high heat of a dryer can cause damage and shrinkage, or even create a dangerous situation. —Katelyn Squiers, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Apr. 2025

Researchers couldn’t track tumor shrinkage because all patients had surgery to remove visible cancer before vaccination. —Liz Neporent, ABC News, 19 Feb. 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