spoilage

Definition of spoilagenext
as in decomposition
the process by which dead organic matter separates into simpler substances in the days before refrigeration, spoilage was a constant problem

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of spoilage Press out as much air as possible before sealing—freezer burn, not spoilage, is the primary concern. Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 24 Apr. 2026 Signs of Spoilage in Cauliflower While cauliflower stays fresh longer than many other vegetables, keep an eye out for telltale signs of spoilage. Heather Riske, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Apr. 2026 At the time, Pasteur was primarily interested in stemming wine and beer spoilage but, in time, pasteurization would be used for milk and other products. Scott Lafee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026 The process is named after Louis Pasteur, the 19th century French scientist who demonstrated that heat could be used to kill microorganisms that cause disease and spoilage. Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spoilage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spoilage
Noun
  • Excessive fly activity indicates decomposition is already underway, at which point the fruit's condition is as much the concern as the flies themselves.
    Anne Wolf, Martha Stewart, 13 May 2026
  • Brian Eckenrode, a retired FBI forensic scientist and expert in human decomposition, joined them in 2021.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • But more than a decade of decay and corruption scandals have created an infrastructure chokepoint.
    Tiisetso Motsoeneng, semafor.com, 15 May 2026
  • Helium-4 is naturally produced in the mantle through the decay of uranium and thorium, so there’s a lot of it.
    Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 14 May 2026

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“Spoilage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spoilage. Accessed 18 May. 2026.

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