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
Furthering strength, by combining control of yarn tension with heat setting, the maker is able to reduce webbing shrinkage to 3 percent at 100 degrees Celsius.
—
Sarah Jones,
Footwear News,
6 July 2026
True inflation is a monetary unit shrinkage, which the Fed cannot fight, making traditional economic theories like the Phillips Curve obsolete.
—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Machine washable without color fading, shrinkage or pilling.
—
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Hot water can cause shrinkage or loss of shape.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrinkage
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Sarah Jones,
Footwear News,
6 July 2026
True inflation is a monetary unit shrinkage, which the Fed cannot fight, making traditional economic theories like the Phillips Curve obsolete.
—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Machine washable without color fading, shrinkage or pilling.
—
ABC News,
16 June 2026
Hot water can cause shrinkage or loss of shape.
—
Karen Brewer Grossman,
Southern Living,
15 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for shrinkage
Cite this Entry
“Shrinkage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shrinkage. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
shrinkage
noun
shrink·age
ˈshriŋ-kij
: the amount by which something shrinks or becomes less
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