loss leader

noun

: something (such as merchandise) sold at a loss in order to draw customers
loss-leader adjective

Examples of loss leader in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The thought of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with people, taking food from a communal trough, quickly became terrifying, resulting in chains going bankrupt and casinos jettisoning the loss leader. Chris Morris, Fortune, 16 Aug. 2023 For YouTube, experts expect the Sunday Ticket will act as a loss leader. Rachyl Jones, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2023 The cost of doing so, however, is steep: Operating the app as a loss leader alongside the company’s other social media brands including Facebook and Instagram. Paolo Confino, Fortune, 27 July 2023 Amazon and Apple, which currently have valuations of $1.74 trillion and $2.4 trillion, respectively, often operate their music services as a loss leader – discounting them or giving them away for free as a way to entice new customers to purchase new devices or sign up for other services. David Israelite and Bart Herbison, Billboard, 25 Oct. 2021 It’s widely seen as a loss leader. Tim Fernholz, Quartz, 20 July 2021 At least Prime Day is no longer a loss leader. Dan Gallagher, WSJ, 17 Oct. 2020 For deep-pocketed RIL that may be a justifiable loss leader. Patrick Frater, Variety, 27 Mar. 2023 The Trinity High School graduate’s explosiveness off the ball and ability to get in the backfield will be key as part of a U of L defense that lost its top three tackle for loss leaders in defensive lineman Yaya Diaby and linebackers Yasir Abdullah and Monty Montgomery. Alexis Cubit, The Courier-Journal, 14 Mar. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'loss leader.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of loss leader was in 1917

Dictionary Entries Near loss leader

Cite this Entry

“Loss leader.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loss%20leader. Accessed 28 Nov. 2023.

Legal Definition

loss leader

noun
loss lead·​er
: something (as merchandise) sold at a loss in order to draw customers
loss-leader adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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