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
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 loss of many units affiliated with the Latter-day Saints and conservative Christian churches was part of a broader shrinkage experienced by the Boy Scouts, which served more than 4 million boys in the 1970s.
—
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Shea butter and hyaluronic acid join coconut and Kalahari melon oils to add a surge of strand-softening hydration, minimizing shrinkage in the process.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Not bench-him-now levels, but there has been some shrinkage.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025
Additionally, sizing up may offset any shrinkage due to washing, as is common with cotton T-shirts.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrinkage
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.
Dave Smith, Fortune, 17 Sep. 2025
Shea butter and hyaluronic acid join coconut and Kalahari melon oils to add a surge of strand-softening hydration, minimizing shrinkage in the process.
—Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025
Not bench-him-now levels, but there has been some shrinkage.
—Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 Sep. 2025
Additionally, sizing up may offset any shrinkage due to washing, as is common with cotton T-shirts.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for shrinkage
Cite this Entry
“Shrinkage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrinkage. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shrinkage
noun
shrink·age
ˈshriŋ-kij
: the amount by which something shrinks or becomes less
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share