spoilage

[ spoi-lij ]

noun

1. the act of spoiling or the state of being spoiled.
2. material or the amount of material that is spoiled or wasted:

   The spoilage in today's shipment is much too great.

3. the decay of foodstuffs due to the action of bacteria; rotting:

   He was concerned about the spoilage of fruit on the way to market.

spoilage

/ ˈspɔɪlɪdʒ /

noun

1. the act or an instance of spoiling or the state or condition of being spoilt
2. an amount of material that has been wasted by being spoilt

   the spoilage of corn was considerable

Word History and Origins

Origin of spoilage¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; spoil + -age

Example Sentences

Before consuming, inspect all food for any signs of spoilage, and discard any canned goods that appear swollen, dented or corroded.

From Salon

Fermentation, which is the basis of soy sauce production, is a technology that controls spoilage.

From Salon

Perhaps most shockingly, over 60 per cent of this waste is avoidable food waste or food that could have been eaten but was thrown away for various reasons, including spoilage.

From Salon

The damage also makes it easier for spoilage microbes to get in.

From Salon

In the 1860s, French microbiologist Louis Pasteur discovered that heating wine and beer killed the organisms that caused spoilage, which then was a significant problem in France.

From Salon