shrinkage

noun

shrink·age | \ ˈshriŋ-kij

, especially Southern ˈsriŋ-\

Definition of shrinkage

1 : the act or process of shrinking

2a : 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 & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about shrinkage

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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

Fast forward to the present, and the Fed’s turn toward easing policy by potentially cutting rates and ending the shrinkage of its $3.8 trillion asset portfolio this September received little pushback this week from lawmakers. — Nick Timiraos, WSJ, "Takeaways From Fed Chief’s Two Days on Capitol Hill," 12 July 2019 In fact, June’s shrinkage was faster than previously thought. — David Meyer, Fortune, "What Trump and Xi’s Agreement Means: CEO Daily," 1 July 2019 That shrinkage sped up once bird ancestors grew wings and began experimenting with gliding flight. — Quanta Magazine, "How Dinosaurs Shrank and Became Birds," 2 June 2015 Returning to Earth helped the gray matter mostly bounce back but seemed to cause shrinkage in white matter, which connects parts of the brain. — National Geographic, "What happens to brains in space, and more breakthroughs," 12 June 2019 In addition to the molecular shrinkage that happens during the freeze-drying process, each tablet is formulated with hyaluronic acid of the lowest molecular weight to begin with. — Rebecca Dancer, Allure, "Facialist Georgia Louise Launches the Pure Molecule, Freeze-Dried Skin-Care Tablets," 18 Apr. 2019 Our second problem has to do with the incredible shrinkage of the human Y chromosome. — Quanta Magazine, "How the DNA Computer Program Makes You and Me," 5 Apr. 2018 Because underwear is washed so often, shrinkage can be expected, especially if it's made of cotton. — Amanda Hawkins, Good Housekeeping, "4 Signs It's Time for New Underwear and Bras," 9 Feb. 2019 In fact, according to a new study, higher levels of cortisol are linked to memory loss and brain shrinkage before the age of 50. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, "Why Every 20-Something Should Know More About Their Hormones—and Their Body," 25 Oct. 2018

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