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Wastage Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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wastage

[ˈweɪstɪdʒ ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

reduce waste

The action or process of wasting or using something carelessly or extravagantly; the unnecessary or needless use of resources.

Synonyms

depletion, loss, waste.

Examples of usage

  • There is a lot of wastage in this production process.
  • We need to minimize wastage to improve efficiency.
Context #2 | Noun

food wastage

The act of wasting food by discarding it, rather than consuming it.

Synonyms

food loss, food waste.

Examples of usage

  • Food wastage is a major issue in many countries.
  • We should be more conscious of food wastage.
Context #3 | Noun

energy wastage

The inefficient use of energy resulting in unnecessary consumption and loss.

Synonyms

energy loss, energy waste.

Examples of usage

  • Energy wastage can be reduced through better insulation.
  • Unplugging devices when not in use helps prevent energy wastage.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Environmental Impact

  • Wastage contributes significantly to environmental issues, as it leads to increased landfill size, pollution, and loss of resources.
  • In agriculture, food wastage is a major concern, with nearly one-third of food produced globally going uneaten.
  • Reducing wastage in industries can lead to more sustainable practices, benefiting both the economy and the environment.

Economics

  • Wastage is a critical factor in cost management; businesses strive to minimize wastage to improve profitability.
  • Understanding wastage helps in resource allocation, ensuring that materials are used efficiently and effectively.
  • Economic theories often discuss the implications of wastage on GDP and overall economic health.

Psychology

  • The phenomenon of loss aversion explains why people feel bad about wastage; losing something is often more painful than gaining something of equal value.
  • Cognitive biases can lead to 'waste culture,' where individuals or societies normalize excessive wasting despite knowing its negative consequences.
  • Social influences, such as peer behavior and trends, can impact our perception of waste and what constitutes reasonable wastage.

Literature

  • Writers often use wastage as a theme to highlight human folly, like in stories where valuable resources are squandered for short-term pleasure.
  • Poems and literature pieces have employed imagery of wastage to evoke feelings of regret and loss, compelling readers to reflect.
  • Dystopian novels frequently explore wastage as a societal issue, depicting futures where resources are scarce due to earlier excess.

Origin of 'wastage'

Main points about word origin

  • The word 'wastage' comes from the root 'waste,' which has Old English origins dating back to around the 11th century.
  • Originally, 'waste' meant to lay waste, to destroy or get rid of something.
  • The suffix '-age' indicates a collection or amount, transforming the word to mean a process or result of wasting.

The word 'wastage' originated from the verb 'waste', which has Old English and Old French roots. Over time, 'wastage' evolved to refer to the act of wasting or the unnecessary use of resources. The term has been used in various contexts, such as production, food, and energy, highlighting the importance of reducing wastage for sustainability and efficiency.

See also: wasted, wasteful, wastefulness, wasteland, waster, wastrel.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #18,129, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.