packet loss
compound.compound. a problem where pieces of data fail to reach their destination while traveling across a computer network. This usually makes your internet connection feel slow or causes video calls to freeze.
compound. the failure of one or more transmitted data units to reach their intended destination across a network. Typically measured as a percentage of total packets sent, it often results from network congestion, faulty hardware, or signal interference.
High packet loss is making my video call freeze.
The IT department investigated the slow connection and found that packet loss was causing the server to time out.
While minor packet loss is often mitigated by transport layer protocols that request retransmission, excessive loss in real-time applications like VoIP leads to noticeable audio distortion and dropped connections.
A compound of the noun packet, referring to a discrete unit of data, and the noun loss. The terminology reflects the mid-20th-century conceptualisation of data transmission as the physical movement of small parcels through a network.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Commonly used with 'high', 'low', or 'zero'; often functions as a compound noun in technical discussions.
Last updated July 22, 2026