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Definition of wastage

wastage

/ˈweɪ.stɪdʒ/
was · tage
Adverb:wastefully
•
Plural:wastages
•
Adjective:wasteful
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wastage Lexical Profile

wastage Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The action or process of losing or destroying something by careless use, decay, or inefficiency; the amount or proportion of a resource, material, or product that is wasted.

Example

"Upgrading the old water pipes significantly reduced wastage across the municipal network."

2

British The gradual reduction in the size of a workforce occurring naturally as employees resign, retire, or leave without being replaced.

Example

"The company plans to downsize its staff through natural wastage rather than compulsory layoffs."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

wasplike
waspy
wassup
wastage
waste
wastebasket
wastebin

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-18th century from the verb 'waste' (ultimately from Latin 'vastus', meaning 'empty' or 'desolate') combined with the noun-forming suffix '-age'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Wastage. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/wastage
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