# wastage

/wˈeɪstɪdʒ/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wastage
Updated: 2026-10-18

## Definition

the amount of something that is lost or wasted when you make, store, or use it.

For teachers: material, time, or resources lost through inefficient use, spoilage, or natural shrinkage during production, storage, or handling.

## Examples

- The shop cuts food wastage with better planning.
- The restaurant tracks daily wastage to see how much fresh produce spoils before use.
- Despite improved cutting techniques, the factory still reports five percent wastage on every steel sheet entering the press.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.