wastage en · NOUN
Pronunciation
- /ˈweɪstɪdʒ/
- (Southern-England) audio
Etymology
Etymology tree English waste Proto-Indo-European *-h₂ Proto-Indo-European *-éh₂ Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Indo-European *-eh₂tos Proto-Italic *-ātos Latin -ātus Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus Latin -āticus Latin -āticum Old French -agebor. Middle English -age English -age English wastage From waste + -age.
Meanings
-
(uncountable) The amount or proportion of something that is wasted or lost by deterioration or other natural process.
The average wastage is 1.5% in the grocery department.
Likewise, the menopause market is obsessed with muscle wastage, and the possibility that if women don't eat enough protein after the age of 40 their minds will go doolally and their bones will turn to dust.
2025 August 23, Jo Ellison, “The incredible bulk”, in FT Weekend (Life & Arts section), London: The Financial Times Ltd., →ISSN, →OCLC, page 19:wastage from fruits and vegetables is estimated at 4.58%–15.88%
2022, Sunita Varjani, Ashok Pandey, Mohammad Taherzadeh, Biomass, Biofuels, Biochemicals: Circular Bioeconomy:
- (uncountable) The periodical turnover of personnel in an organisation by death, retirement or resignation, as perceived by those aspiring to promotion or appointment in the organisation.
- (countable) Anything lost by wear or waste.
- (uncountable) Goods that are damaged, out of date, reduced, or generally unsaleable, which are destined to be thrown away and which are written off as a loss.
- (countable) The act of abandoning animal carcasses or parts, usually illegal.
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| wastages | Number=Plur | lexicographic |