spoilage

noun

spoil·​age ˈspȯi-lij 

1

: the act or process of spoiling

especially : the process of decay in foodstuffs

2

: something spoiled or wasted

3

: loss by spoilage

Synonyms

• breakdown
• corruption
• decay
• decomposition
• festering
• putrefaction
• putrescence
• rot

Examples of spoilage in a Sentence

The milk should be refrigerated to prevent spoilage.

in the days before refrigeration, spoilage was a constant problem

Recent Examples on the Web

This method enabled competitors to keep their overhead costs low, retaining minimal staff and reducing the risk of product spoilage en route. —Molly Peck, USA TODAY, 11 Dec. 2024

Food spoilage isn’t as simple as picking a day, Murray said, but labels should be considered when checking if your groceries are still good or need to be tossed. —Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024

Best Black Friday Beauty Deals at Dyson Dyson sales are few and far between, save for the spoilage we get served during Black Friday. —Annie Blackman, Allure, 1 Dec. 2024

Even slightly warm bread will produce condensation within its packaging, which leads to instant quality degradation and faster spoilage. —Darcy Lenz, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1597, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

spoilage

noun

spoil·​age ˈspȯi-lij 

: the action of spoiling or the condition of being spoiled