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

The benefit extended beyond tumor shrinkage. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes.com, 11 June 2026

Monfortex sanforizers are designed to deliver minimum residual shrinkage with excellent fabric hand and highly reproducible quality. —Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 9 June 2026

Cold water will be your wash-cycle friend, as hot water can cause shrinkage to moisture-wicking fabrics like nylon, spandex, and polyester. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2026

That caloric deficit drives bone loss and muscle shrinkage. —New Atlas, 3 June 2026

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